American History

American History Honors

Additional Information for Section 18.1: Imperalism (not covered in your textbook)

1860s –

In addition to the purchase of Alaska, William H. Seward was also responsible for the annexation of the Midway Islands in the Pacific and the rights to a potential canal route in Nicaragua.

It was also Seward who threatened the French (using the Monroe Doctrine) to back down in Mexico. [During the Civil War, Napoleon III had installed Maximillian on the Mexican throne, and there were threats of a possible French invasion of the United States. Of course, at the conclusion of the Civil War, Seward could make these threats as the U.S. had thousands of battle-trained troops ready to send to Mexico if needed. The French left and Mexicans were restored to power (after sending Maximillian to a firing squad).]

1889 –

James G. Blaine (remember him?), the Secretary of State for President Benjamin Harrison, initiated the “Big Sister” policy for Latin America and convened the first Pan-American Conference in 1889.

1895 –

Richard Olney, the Secretary of State for President Grover Cleveland, invoked the Monroe Doctrine to warn Great Britain not to intervene in a border dispute between Venezuela and British Guyana. The British were angered! However, due to comments by Germany’s Wilhelm II and problems in Africa, tensions cooled.

The significance of this event is that afterwards, relations between the United States and Great Britain improved. These improved relations led to the eventual American-British alliance in World War I.