U. s. imperialism - how did the u. s. acquire control of panama canal, hawaii, and cuba and what did the u. s. gain by controlling them ?

Answers:

Panama

The United States inspired and supported Panamanian independence from Colombia. It was easier then to take control of the construction and operation of a canal. By controlling the Panama Canal, the US acquired a strategic asset; as it became more involved in world affairs, it was very important to have a maritime way to quickly mobilize the US Navy from the Atlantic to the Pacific or viceversa.

Hawaii

After the Spanish-American War the US forces overthrew a local monarchy. Next, the American state annexed Hawaii. Pearl Harbor was strategically located and it also turned into a major asset for the US Navy.

Cuba

The US supported the fight for Cuban independence, but it did not annex it. However, Washington exercised control of Cuba through a treaty and friendly local governments. A base was established in Guantánamo, it still exists today. It is located strategically for the control of the Caribbean. Cuba has always been seen as an important area for US security.

Explanation:

1. ford: gerald ford´s presidency, from 1974 to 1977, faced high inflation, named it public enemy nº1, and created the win program (whip inflation now).

2. carter: president from 1977 to 1981, carter had controversial poitions over abortion, but yet, he enforce the roe vs wade decision, which had pro-choice content.

3. reagan. for his eloquency and powerful speeches in his mandates, from 1981 to 1989, reagan earned this nickname, “the great communicator” .

4. george h w bush: despite many presidents had important roles in managing and trying to end the cold war, it was in bush sr's mandate that the berlin wall was materially destroyed, and he was visited by gorbachev in the uspresident from 1989 to 1993.

5. clinton: defense of marriage act. clinton signed this controvesial act, which defined marriage and spouses in strict heterosexual perspective, that was later declard unconstitutional by the us supreme court.

6. george w bush: in the begining of his presidency, which lasted until 2009, bush jr faced the greatest terrorist attacks in us and probably the worlds history, in september, 11 of 2001.

7. obama: in attempts to cease a great economical crisis, barack obama signed the controversial recovery act in february 2009, which handled 780-billion dollars.