The Spanish-American War - April 1898
A war between Spain and the U.S. U.S. started this war because they wanted Cuba to be independent from Spain. All of this from the cause of a U.S. battleship, Maine, that was mysteriously destroyed by an explosion near Havana, Cuba. Spain was defeated, and Cuba became independent. The U.S. took control over the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
The Progressive Era - 1890s-1920s
A period in time of social activism and political reform in the U.S. (To clean of the messes from the Gilded Age)
Annexation of Hawaii - 1898-1900
Brought about and influenced from the Spanish-American war, Hawaii was annexed by the U.S. at the hands of President William McKinley. Was made a territory in 1900, as Dole became it's first governor.
Philippine-American War - Feb.6,1899
A conflict between the Philippines and the U.S. By the Filipino revolutionaries, wanting Philippine Revolution over Spanish Rule.
U.S. Purchases the Philippine Islands from Spain - 1899
McKinley authorized the purchase of the Philippines for $20 million from Spanish rule. Afterwards, a war broke out between them, followed by the U.S. taking control over the Philippines.
The Panama Canal - 1903-1914
President Roosevelt pushed the idea for a canal a little ways towards the end of the war. The canal took about 10 years to build and was officially opened on August 15,1914. The canal was used to let ships get to their destination quicker, and for trade.
Theodore Roosevelt announced his "Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine - 1904
Asserting that the U.S. might intervene in the affairs of an American republic threatened with seizure or intervention by a European country.
Pure Food and Drug Act - June 30,1906
A United States federal law that provided federal inspection of meat products and forbade the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated food products and poisonous patent medicines.
The Federal Reserve Act - December 23,1913
Intended to establish a form of economic stability through the introduction of the Central Bank, which would be in charge of monetary policy, into the United States.
World War I Begins - August 1,1914
The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparks the start of the war.
German Proclamation - Feb.15, 1915
Waters around the British Isles were a German war-zone. Germany would sink any ship that trespasses.
The Sinking of the Lusitania - May 7,1915
British Passenger Ship was torpedoed by German troops.
Sussex Pledge - April 24,1916
Germany "promises" not to sink any more ships without warning (they don't want the U.S. to join the war)
Failure of Diplomacy - Feb.3,1917
Unrestricted submarine warfare continues as the Germany resumes U-Boat attacks on the U.S.
Zimmerman Telegram - Feb.24,1917
British intelligence intercepts the Zimmerman Telegram which revealed Germany's plan to ask the Mexican government to attack the U.S.
The United States Enters the War - April 6,1917
The U.S. is officially at war.
Selective Service Act - May 18,1917
The Government has the power to draft soldiers. It is required for all U.S. men aged 21-30 to register for military service.
Espionage Act - June 15,1917
This act was made by the government to control speech: which violates the first amendment. The act made it a crime for any person to hold information intended to interfere with the U.S. armed forces or promote success of the country's enemies.
Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points - January 8,1918
A statement given by President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson wanted to end the war and have peace between the parties. Stated that the war was being fought over moral causes.
The Treaty of Versailles - June 1919
The endpoint of World War I. A peace treaty to state that the war between Germany and the Allied Powers is over.