IMPERIALISM & WORLD WAR I |
Roots of Imperialism, Alaska,
And Hawaii
Key people, events & Objectives
Key People:
- Commodore Matthew Perry - Negotiated peace treaty for Japan to open trade in America.
- Alfred T. Mahn - Encouraged U.S. Navy to expand its world influence.
- Frederick J. Turner - Urged overseas expansion as a way to avoid internal conflict.
Key Events:
- Purchase of Alaska - March 30, 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
- Pan-American highway opens routes to expand U.S. trade and investment.
- January 1893 - a group composed of Americans and Europeans formed a Committee of Safety seeking to overthrow the Hawaiian Kingdom and sought annexation to the United States.
Legislation
- 1867, Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
- 1898, Hawaii became an official U.S. territory.
Impact/significance
The United States purchased Alaska which at the time was believed to be a waste, but eventually it was figured out that Alaska was full of oil which is a very valuable product.