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.
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