U.S. begins building modern battleships

U.S.-backed planters overthrow Hawaii’s Queen Liliuokalani

United States arbitrates border dispute between Britain and Venezuela

Guerrilla war against Spanish rule begins in Cuba

War between United States and Spain

United States annexes Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam

U.S.-Philippine War, ending in U.S. occupation of Philippines

United States pursues open door policy in China

United States helps suppress nationalist rebellion in China (“Boxer Rebellion”)

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty

Platt Amendment gives U.S. exclusive role in Cuba

U.S. recognizes Panama’s independence from Colombia

Russo-Japanese War; Roosevelt mediates peace

Root-Takahira Agreement

Panama Canal opens

U.S. military action in Veracruz, Mexico

World War I begins in Europe

Jones Act commits United States to future Philippine independence

United States declares war on Germany and its allies, creates new agencies to mobilize economy and promote national unity

Espionage Act

Sedition Act

World War I ends

Beginning of two-year influenza pandemic that kills 50 million people worldwide

Schenck v. United States and Abrams v. United States

Wilson promotes Fourteen Points at Paris Peace Conference

Senate rejects the Treaty of Versailles

Nineteenth Amendment grants women suffrage