1. Explain why Secretary of State James G. Blaine convened the Pan-American conference in 1889.
A: James Blaine convened the Pan-American conference because he wanted to create a customs union between Latin America and the United States. A customs union would require American nations to reduce their tariffs and to treat each other equally in trade. Blaine hoped that a customs union would turn Latin Americans away from European products and toward American products. Blaine also hoped that a common system for settling disputes would keep the Europeans from meddling in American affairs.
2. What events in the world convinced Americans to support a large navy?
A: In the late 1800s, the United States became increasingly assertive in foreign affairs. In 1888, for example, the country was willing to go to war with Germany over control of the Samoa Islands. Three years later, the United States threatened Chile when a mob attacked American sailors in the port of Valparaiso. As both the American people and their government became more willing to risk war in defense of American interests overseas, support for building a large navy began to grow. Supporters argued that if the United States did not build up its navy and acquire bases overseas, it would be shut out of foreign markets by Europeans. Captain Alfred T. Mahan, an officer in the U.S. Navy who taught at the Naval War College, best expressed this argument. In 1890 Mahan published his lectures in a book called "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783." Mahan's book helped to build public support for a big navy.
Excellent!
To explain how Secretary of State James G. Blaine convened the Pan-American conference in 1889, we need to understand the context of the time. Blaine believed in expanding American influence and promoting American interests in Latin America. One of his main goals was to create a customs union between the United States and Latin American countries.
To achieve this, Blaine organized the Pan-American conference, which brought together representatives from various American nations. The conference took place in Washington, D.C. and lasted from October 1889 to April 1890. Its primary purpose was to discuss trade and commerce issues among the participating nations.
Blaine's vision was to establish a customs union that would lower tariffs and create a level playing field for trade between the United States and Latin America. This would make American products more competitive and attractive to Latin American countries. Blaine hoped that by reducing tariffs and treating each other equally in trade, American nations would turn away from European products and strengthen their economic ties with the United States.
Additionally, Blaine wanted to establish a common system for settling disputes among American nations. He believed that by doing so, it would deter European interference in American affairs. This was important to Blaine because he wanted to enhance the influence and prestige of the United States in the Western Hemisphere. Having a united front among American nations would help protect their interests from outside interference.
In summary, Secretary of State James G. Blaine convened the Pan-American conference in 1889 to promote trade and economic cooperation between the United States and Latin American countries. He sought to establish a customs union that would lower tariffs and treat American nations equally in trade. Furthermore, he aimed to create a common system for settling disputes among American nations to discourage European interference in the region.