A History of the United States: Chapter 23: Rise to World Power

Some said he had argued for isolationism, or noninvolvement in world affairs. Others believed Washington supported trade with other countries, not isolation from them.

After Washington left office, Americans expanded their territory by moving west and south. This expansionism was a driving force in American history.

The late 1800s and the early 1900s were called an age of imperialism. Powerful European nations built large empires by gaining economic and political control over weaker nations.

New transportation and communication networks would link the many parts of this empire.

In 1867 Seward moved closer to making his vision a reality: He arranged for the United States to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

Many people thought of Alaska only as an icy, barren place. They mocked it as "Seward's icebox" and a "polar bear garden."

In 1891, Queen Liliuokalani became Hawaii's ruler. She wanted native Hawaiians to regain control of their islands. In response, American planters forced Liliuokalani from power. They set up their own provisional government, or temporary government, in 1893.

Without consulting the Samoans, the United States and Germany divided Samoa between them.

Weakened by war, China also lacked industry. It could not resist the efforts of foreign powers that wanted to exploit, or make use of, its vast resources and markets.

By the late 1890s, Japan and several European powers had carved out spheres of influence in China. These were sections of the country in which each of the foreign nations enjoyed special rights and powers.

Events in Cuba triggered the Spanish-American War.

On August 12, the Spanish signed an armistice, or truce. The Spanish-American War was over.

Cuba became a U.S. protectorate. A protectorate is an independent country, but it is under the control of another country.

Puerto Rico and Guam became territories of the United States. A territory is an area that is completely controlled by another country.

William Howard Taft led a new government that tried to prepare the islands for eventual self-rule. The Philippines gained independence in 1946.

Americans and Europeans had long wanted to build a canal across Central America. Such a canal would connect the Caribbean and the Pacific Oceans—and eliminate the need for the long voyage around South America.

Panama is an isthmus—a narrow strip of land connecting two larger bodies of land—about 50 miles (80 km) wide.

Secretary of State John Hay negotiated a treaty with Colombia. The treaty gave the United States control of a piece of land across the isthmus for 99 years. For this the United States would pay $10 million, plus an annual rent of $250,000.

Roosevelt also believed that America must exercise "an international police power." He felt that this was necessary to preserve order and to prevent anarchy—disorder and lawlessness.

Taft's policy was known as dollar diplomacy. It meant using economic power—for example, making loans—to gain influence and protect U.S. interests.