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1901- The government of Guatemala hires the United Fruit Company to manage the country's postal service. US Steel is founded due to a massive merger. It controls 2/3 of steel production. Texaco Fuel Company is founded.


1902- Bethlehem Steel gets huge contracts to build steel parts of warships for FAW(First Atlantic War). Bethlehem Steel opens various dockyards. Pure Oil Producing Co. is incorporated. Havemeyer Oil Company get lucky with US Navy contracts for oil for military shipping.


1903- After the FAW, American begins to negotiate with Columbia over Panama.


1904- The United Fruit Company starts large operations in Cuba during USA occupation. Standard Oil is sued under anti-trust laws. They fight off any doubts even thought they control over 60% of the oil market. Texaco continues buying small oil stations along the Gulf.


1905- Panama is 'bought' from Columbia, (in reality, Columbia is threatened with war and revolution. American troops in Venezuela convinces Bogotá). The UFCO takes over the postal system and rail service of Panama. Indian Oil Company is founded, and briefly controls Louisiana oil production.


1907- Bethlehem Steel buys Union Works Dockyard (based in San Francisco) in a highly publicized merger. US Steel attempts to buy Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad but is stopped by anti- trust legislation. Outraged, TR is called an 'Un-American' by the head of US Steel.


1906- Various American businesses set up stock in the Caribbean, buying land and plantations. Despite this influx, UFCO and the newly formed Standard Fruit company are the largest fish. A strike at US Steel plants in Ohio lead to violence and the formation of a American Communist Party.


1908- Byran's election bodes ill for business people. Most business open 'satellite offices' in Cuba, which is still in the throes of civil war. Violence stops soon after the business Exodus. Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad is re-organized into the new Southern Steel, providing steel to oil companies in the Gulf as well as railroads through American and the Caribbean. Pure Oil expands into shipping to Europe, mainly France.


1909- Standard Fruit buys massive shares in Guatemala fruit companies. Elections are beginning to be swayed. Bethlehem steel succeeds in reducing US Steel's productions share to 50%. Byran and Brandeis personally leads the attack on Standard Oil, re-opened due to the concept of 'secret railroad rates' for Standard Oil. Havemeyer Oil buys Indian Oil, and begins to be the largest non-Standard Oil Petroleum company.


1910- UFCO opens a rail and telegraph division. They soon become the standard in the Caribbean, servicing the local elites. Havana becomes a USA business paradise, despite Byran trust busting back home. Cuba struggles for freedom, but has no real chance as anything other then a American protectorate. Steel booms as demand for the SAW (Second Atlantic War) begins. Not only does the USA Army/Navy require items, but European orders fill the waiting lists of all major companies.


1911- The last 'free' sugar on Cuba is bought. South Steel faces charges of abuses and violations of safety laws against its (mainly black and/or convicts) work force. US Steel and Southern steel begin to build 'model' towns, for workers to live in. Gary, Indiana is founded for this reason. Standard Oil is broken up into 32 companies.


1912- Standard fruit expands in Costa Rica, squeezing out many small American business. An abortive workers rebellion in Honduras is put down with American military aid. US Steel is attacked by the Sherman Act but survives, which leads many to consider a new anti-trust bill.


1913- As war rages in Europe, Cuba and Venezuela are totally bought by American interests. A massive strike at Bethlehem Steel is broken up, while Byran lashes out with pro-union laws. Nicurgua passes an anti-black immigration law. Untied Fruit 'finds' a legal loophole.


1914- The last rebels in Cuba are brunt out, as UFCO opens a new shipping line, using Miami as its base in the USA. New headquarters are built in Havana. Texas based Tropical Fruit Company opens and starts to invest in the Caribbean.


1915- After the war ends, Tropical Fruit, Standard Fruit and UFCO buy old navy ships to bolster there own fleets. Tropical Fruit becomes the third 'leg' in the Caribbean as between them, most fruit companies are squeezed out. The war ens, leaving steel producers to expand into the consumer market.


1916- Bethlehem dockyards are consolidated into one division known as Bethship. Pure Oil is bought by Ohio Cities Gas Company.
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