Essay on The Cause And Effect Of The Spanish American War

In the late nineteenth century, America engaged in the Spanish-American War. The aftermath of this war resulted in the acquirement of territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. However, not everyone felt these conquests were justified. Many Americans during that time period held the belief that the act of expanding into said regions went against democratic values and was, in fact, hypocritical of the values America frequently preached, while others seemed to believe that holding onto the territories was justified due to the fact that these newly-freed nations would be unable to govern themselves, and that it was America’s innate responsibility to aid them. Many Americans reacted to the end of the Spanish-American War by claiming

Many historians argue that the U.S. took the moral high ground during the war because they set out to end the suffering of the Cuban people at the hands of Spain, citing the crux of McKinley’s War Message. Although this may be true to some extent, the worst of the rebellion had ended by 1898 as the result of a ceasefire agreement and the departure of General Valeriano Weyler; therefore, American interference was needlessly invasive. Some also point to the Teller Amendment as counter-evidence against the imperialistic nature of the war, but, following the war, the Platt Amendment to the Cuban Constitution transformed Cuba from a truly independent nation into a puppet of the U.S. for enforcing the Monroe Doctrine on Europe’s empires. Moreover, the motive to free an oppressed Cuba fails to explain why the U.S. also took action to remove Spain from the Philippines, where no major rebellion was taking place. Although morality may have played some role, its motivational effect was far outweighed by the imperialism and hysteria factors.

The Spanish American war started in 1898 and was a fight for Cuba’s independence which resulted in 379 American casualties in combat. The Spanish American War was justified because of the Monroe Doctrine, Correspondence between the United States and Spain, and the Platt Amendment, which were all created to protect American morals and freedom.

War of 1812 and industrialization- The british blockade forced the united states to develop its own industries

In the 19th century the scramble for control was under way when the Americans, Japan, and the Germans entered, other countries struggling with their empires. In the late nineteen century became a new age of imperialism in where technology and communications brought empire’s within reach. Many counties were joining the hunt fort new colonies, Americans preferred an indirect imperialism. The concept was first popularized during James K. Polk presidency, where he led the United States into the Mexican-American War of 1846. America’s version was that to “export products, ideas, and influence”, they viewed it as a “pure” version so they can share their values of democracy, and Christianity.

In 1898, President William McKinley asked congress to liberate Cuba because of our humanity in a country. McKinley said we must help Cuba for they were our next door neighbor and we could “put an end to the barbarities, bloodshed, starvation, and horrible miseries now existing there, and which the parties to the conflicts are either unable or unwilling to stop or mitigate.”(Source 1) In other words, McKinley believed that Cuba deserved the help of the United States because we were the only ones who could help. He unknowingly presented the idea of imperialism to Governor Theodore Roosevelt.

The subsequent bombing of the ship was blamed on the Spanish with virtually no evidence; however, yellow journalists Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst sensationalized Spanish “atrocities” in Cuba fanning the flames for war. McKinley sought support for a military campaign against the Spanish in Cuba on April 11, 1898 in his Message to Congress Requesing a Declaration of War. The address highlights four justifications for intervention in the region. McKinley’s third reason for intervention was “justified by the very serious injury to the commerce, trade, and business of our people” and fourth justification “…which is of the utmost importance. The present condition of affairs in Cuba is a constant menace to our peace and entails upon this Government an enormous expense” resonate with a sense of American imperialism. The primary concerns of the nation dealt with trade and business implications for American markets instead of the safety and security of the Cuban people. The Platform of the American Anti-Imperialist League supported the “immediate cessation of the war against liberty, begun by Spain.”

America’s imperial moment arrived when they freed Cuba from Spanish rule. America had to do what was necessary to keep Spain at Bay. President McKinley cautiously lobbied to Spain that they stop destroying American property in Cuba. Since Spain was unwilling to compromise, in 1898, McKinley sent over the battleship Maine, to show that the United

The Mexican-American war determined the destiny of the United States of America, it determined whether or not it would become a world power and it established the size of the United States of America. Perhaps the war was inevitable due to the idea of Manifest Destiny - Americans thought they had the divine right to extend their territory. The Mexican-American War started mainly because of the annexation of the Republic of Texas (established in 1836 after breaking away from Mexico). The United States and Mexico still had conflicts on what the borders of Texas was, the United States claimed that the Texas border with Mexico was the Rio Grande, but the Mexicans said that it was the Nueces River, so the land in between were disputed and

This letter, written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States, Enrique Dupuy De Lome, criticized American President William McKinley by calling him weak and concerned only with gaining the favor of the crowd.” By publicizing the letter it helped move forward the public support for a war with Spain over the issue of independence for the Spanish Colony of Cuba. This letter basically has its own opinion over the spanish having to do with Cuba and the diplomacy of President Mckinley. The United States came on top as a world power as symbolizing victory over Spain in the Spanish - American War. Cuba, however, became and independent country instead of being a us territory. For most Americans their main focus of the war was Cuba. The most famous battles of the Spanish- American War took place at El Caney and San Juan Hill. Most American troops in Cuba were quickly returned to the United States after Spain gave up Puerto Rico. Battle casualties were relatively light during the Spanish- American War. Only 379 U.S. soldiers died in combat. More than ten times that number would be killed during the philippine insurrection. In addition, there was a very high death rate due to disease, especially typhoid fever, in both places. The total number of deaths caused by the diseases and “other causes” during the Spanish - American War was about 5,000. Most of these deaths happened in the training areas in the southeastern United

After Spain having refused an American request for a cease-fire on the island ultimate Cuban independence, in April President McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war. The intent, declared ny Senator Henry Teller of Colorado, was to assist Cuban patriots in their strive for “liberty and freedom.” (Foner 667). What is more, is that in order to achieve the government’s humanitarian intentions, Congress assumed the Teller amendment, expressing that the United States had no intent of seizing or controlling the island. Equally important, secretary of State John Hay referenced the Spanish-American conflict as a “splendid little war.” It lasted for four months and caused fewer than 400 American combat deaths (Foner 669). President McKinley showed little interest in expansion before 1898, yet he was now welcoming the idea. On May I at Manila Bay, a harbor in the Philippine Islands the American navy under the leadership of Admiral George Dewey defeated a Spanish fleet (Foner 670). The Spanish-American was in fact a “splendid little war”. It was a “splendid little war” because it was well liked by the American people. Additionally, this was the first time since the Civil War that men from the south and the north fought together for a common reason. It also led to 4,000 deaths some of which arose from diseases such as bouts of yellow fever. This war also resulted in victory over what was once the great Spanish Empire. Finally, it changed American History and made the United States a world power which had to take on newfound responsibilities in both the Caribbean and the Pacific. As a result, the United States gained Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba, and the Philippines. What was ill-received about this war were the deaths and the fact that war could have been avoided but these countries were so driven on power, territory, and

These two incidents were enough to draw a surge of nationalism and a feverish hunger for war with Spain but there was also a looming concern for protection of American investments in Cuba. President McKinley wired a final attempt for Madrid’s agreement to a ceasefire and allow the U.S. to mediate peace negotiations with the rebels. Nevertheless, despite Spain’s wish to avoid war they refused to accept the outcome of Cuba’s independence. “On April 11, McKinley asked Congress for authority to intervene in Cuba “in the name of civilization, [and] in behalf of endangered American interests.” (America: A Concise History 2015) For those seeking something beyond industrialization and eager to liberate the Cuban patriots anxiously jumped on the war

Spanish Civil War was war which lasted from 1936 to 1939. For the Spanish it was “total” war, because whole available arms, weapons, economy and other sectors of country were included in this war. But the Spanish Civil War was “limited” war for foreign powers, since they hadn’t been directly included into the conflict. In this war the new technology was very significant, especially dominance of the airpower. Control of the sea was very important, too. These two segments played very important role in making decision of who is going to win the war. On the other hand, the war on land took the biggest number of lives, and that was one of the important consequences of the war.

Spanish Civil War was war which lasted from 1936 to 1939. For the Spanish it was “total” war, because whole available arms, weapons, economy and other sectors of country were included in this war. But the Spanish Civil War was “limited” war for foreign powers, since they hadn’t been directly included into the conflict. In this war the new technology was very significant, especially dominance of the airpower. Control of the sea was very important, too. These two segments played very important role in making decision of who is going to win the war. On the other hand, the war on land took the biggest number of lives, and that was one of the important consequences of the war. Spanish

On February 15, 1898 the USS Maine a battleship sent to Cuba with the purpose of escorting and protecting Americans mysteriously exploded Havana harbor. The ship sank with the loss of 260 Sailors. The American press wanting war stoked the fires of hate across the nation. Using unproven accusations of sabotage at Spain war was inevitable. “The explosion which destroyed the Maine was the