RGB said:
Unless you want to fight Russia, which shouldn't be impossible. But it will make you look bad.
Meh, not worth it. Nothing in Alaska but polar bears
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The Spanish Invasion
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Even as Watson gathered and unified support against the President, and the Republicans and Democrats rebuilt their parties, activities abroad were to have a great impact on the United States. In 1886, the United States launched the USS Maine from the Los Angeles Naval Dock, and for a decade patrolled the West Coast of the United States. But during the Hawaiian revolts, the Maine was sent deeper into the Pacific to aid the transport of civilians in the Island System. After the revolts ended, the Maine traveled East to become a part of President Daniel's East Asian Mission. This was a series of naval trips to ports in Japan, China and the Philippines, to open up trade with Asia. Although the Chinese shunned the Americans, and the American-Japanese relations were strained by the Hawaiian revolts, the people of the Philippines took to the American offers quickly.
Under President Allen, this trade only increased, and the USS Maine became the font of it. What began as food, medical supplies and manufactured goods became engines, vehicles, and most alarmingly to the Spanish, firearms. Nominally to provide support for the Pro-Spanish factions of Philippine resistance, it was obvious to anyone who observed that the United States was supply a large number of small and large arms to the Philippine resistance. The Spanish were enraged, and attempted to open their own 'trade' with Panama. But unlike the Philippines, Panama was a booming economy. Huge numbers of white businessmen and investors traveled into the country and brought with them wealth and technology. Although it was by no means an even growth, the success of the poorer sections of Panamanian society left the desire to revolt almost non-existent.
The USS Maine
This tense situation was only made hotter by the rather astute use of propaganda by President Allen's secretary of state, Richard Olney. Olney, taking in mind the past success of President Ewing, began gathering support in the media as soon as he took office. And when news came to him of atrocities (many exaggerated) in the South Pacific by Spanish authorities, he was eager to leak the story as a reward to his loyal supporters. The stories of Spanish soldiers murdering innocent Filipinos spread like wildfire through the American readers who were eager for a distraction from the labor strikes and the Pullman incident. Suddenly across every headline and every page new stories of evil and atrocious activities spread, and with every passing day the surge of anti-Spanish feelings grew.
With this as the backdrop, the worst possible event occurred. The USS Maine exploded in Manila Bay, sinking with all hands on board. Immediately the accusations flew, with the American government recalling their diplomat from Spain, and the Spanish returning the favor. It was almost a forgone conclusion that war would arrive. Although Thomas Watson attempted to mobilize his Populist support against the war, it was too strong a tide to overcome. On February 6th, 1898, the United States issued a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Spain for the sinking of the USS Maine. President Allen had his diversion, and in a swift move captured the support of the Republicans and Democrats still on the fringes of the political center. However, one surprise still awaited the Americans.
Felix Faure, President of France
After the Civil War, he United States gradually grew close and closer to the United Kingdom, who declined to support the Confederacy. Indeed, this relationship came to a head with the Hawaii crisis. As the two major powers grew closer and closer together, the French became more and more worried. French interests in Africa were being corrupted by the English, and the French spheres of influence over South America and Mexico were destroyed by American power. All of this led to a very bitter colonial power in France, who's long time ally, Spain, was now engaged in conflict with the Americans. The last sphere of influence left for the French was South-East Asia, and the threat of America taking the Philippines was too much. With seemingly no hesitation, the French declared war on the United States to support the Spanish.
The declaration of war by the French caught the American military by surprise. Most of the army and navy was setting out of Los Angeles, while only a naval defense force and national guard detachment defended the East Coast. Suddenly, the plans had changed. Originally designed by Henry Ware Lawton, the plan to fight the Spanish was a three pronged attack. Step one involved blockading the Gulf of Mexico, step two was to liberate the Philippines, and finally to crush the Spanish Navy and threaten the Spanish mainland. But with the threat of a French naval force striking the East Coast, the Americans had to re-asses the situation. The navy, located in the Gulf, moved north, and part of the Pacific fleet sailed back east. Already, a setback had occurred.