Ava Walker
Mr. Wormell
USHH1
8 May 2023
Spanish American War Essay
Throughout the history of the United States of America, the Spanish-American war has been illustrated as the United States stepping in and assisting Cuba in a time of need. The United States offered their aid to Cuba to obtain freedom and independence just like they had received from France in the Revolutionary War. However, this illustration is not universally perceived. As, the United States of America wrongfully forced themselves into Cuba's fight for independence against Spain and consequently stole land and power. Ultimately the United State’s involvement in Cuba's fight for independence created an imperialistic war solely benefitting the United States of America.
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In the midst of “helping Cuba”, the United States also turned their attention to other territories close to the borders including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and Hawaii. During the late stages of the War, the United States proposed a treaty of annexation on Hawaii, which would allow the U.S. to establish a military base in Hawaii, claiming its use was to help with the pursuit of the war. However, this treaty violated the fundamental principles of the United States by imposing on the freedoms of citizens, an ideal the United States claimed to be very passionate about following. The United States went on to establish military occupation in Honolulu, without the consent of the Hawaiians. This left President Cleveland of Hawaii to have to tell his people in a letter that,” It appears that Hawaii was taken possession of by the United States forces without the consent or wish of the government of the islands, or of anybody else”(President Cleveland on Hawaii). By establishing a military base in Hawaii without the consent of anyone other than themselves the United States yet again demonstrated their selfishness in a pursuit for them to gain more territory, and used the excuse of assisting in the war as a deception to push their way into Hawaii.
Although some may argue that the United States successfully assisted Cuba in gaining their independence, this idea is inaccurate. Following the end of the Spanish-American war the United States did not choose to fight for ownership of the country of Cuba, however in agreement for the U.S.A, to un-occupied the country they created a treaty of independence for Cuba, and within that treaty was a rule known as the Platt
American journalists reported what was happening and Americans became enraged at Spain. The Yellow Press exaggerated what was happening in Cuba, which made Americans more man than they probably should have bee. Spain decided to give limited sovereignty to Cuba, but the USA did not agree with this; the USA said Spain should fully withdraw from Cuba. President William McKinley did not want to go to war, but a large portion of America wanted to help the Cubans. On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the United States of America.
The Spanish-American war commenced with the Wilson- Gorman Tariff, 1894. The American tariff on sugar imports hurt the Cuba's economy that was manufactured sugar. Angry nationalists (insurrection) revolted against the Spanish Colonial regime. Therefore, Spain sent General Weyler to Cuba to deal with the situation.
After the annexation of Hawaii, US military and economic leaders knew that the Hawaiian Islands had value so they pressured Hawaii to allow the United States to build a naval base at Pearl Harbor. The base became a refueling station for American ships. When establishing the Cuban constitution, the United States insisted that Cuba add provisions to their constitution, which were known as the Platt Amendment. One of the provisions in the Platt Amendment was that America was able to buy or lease
Prior to the Spanish-American War of 1898, the majority of Latin America already won their independence from Spain, however, Cuba was an exception due to its surplus of sugar, coffee and tobacco plantations. This control imposed by Spain on Cuba left Cuban citizens resenting their rule due to a multitude of issues, particularly their high taxation and Spain’s rule on Cuba repelling Cubans any political representation in their own country. This distaste for the repressive rules that Spain inflicted on Cuba caused many failed attempts for independence, including the Ten Years’ War and the Little War. The United States sympathized with the Cubans and set out to help. The aid of the United States contributed to the Spanish-American War in 1898, which ended the colonial rule of Spain is
During this time, government officials worked to speed up process giving Cuba limited government control. However, the United States reacted giving Cuba the right to independence, requesting Spain remove itself from Cuba and authorized the President to use force to remove them (Spanish American War). While yellow journalism was a contributing factor to the war, it is not the sole cause of the Spanish American War. The writers of the paper took some of the facts and add some opinion to gain sales. President Roosevelt pushed for the United States to expand overseas which was gaining strength starting the in 1880’s.
Spanish American War / Yellow Journalism “You furnish the pictures, and I`ll furnish the war." (http://izquotes.com/author/william-randolph-hearst). During the 1890`s the Spanish American War started. “The Spanish–American War was a conflict fought between Spain and the United States in 1898. Hostilities began in the aftermath of sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor leading to American intervention in the Cuban War of Independence."
Spanish-American War Who?- The Spanish-American War was a war fought between the United States and Spain. Significant leaders on the American side includes William Mckinley, Nelson A. Miles, George Dewey, and Theodore Roosevelt. Significant leaders on the Spanish side include Praxedes Sagasta, Patricia Montojo, and Pascual Cervera What?- The Spanish-American War was a war that led to many things such as the Treaty of Paris, the U.S. having Cuba being part of their territory, the U.S. being in control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands and also the Philippine-American War.
One of the only instances of this case was the Open Door Policy, in which America insisted on each country having equal access to China. Nevertheless, the interactions with Spain were influential enough to set the course for future American foreign policy with other countries. For example, this war was the first time America got involved in another country's independence. Cuba was in revolution, and in order to subdue the uprisings and ensure an advantageous treaty, America’s naval force overtook the Philippine islands. In the end, the Philippines were annexed, and Spain ceded Puerto Rico to America; both of which gave a major foothold in the Caribbean for future foreign
A Turning Point in American Foreign Policy: The Spanish- American War The Spanish-American War, which took place in 1898, represented a significant moment in American history that reshaped the course of the nation's foreign policy. This essay aims to analyze the extent to which the Spanish-American War served as a turning point in shaping American foreign policy. By examining its impact on territorial expansion, interventionist tendencies, emergence as a global power, and the Roosevelt Corollary, we can ascertain the transformative nature of this conflict. :
In 1898, we finally see the United States begin to enforce the rules they before stated in the Monroe doctrine and began exhibiting their hemispheric power. As Cuba struggled to gain independence from Spain eventually America stepped in to help them gain their freedom. On April 24th Spain declared war on the United States and on April 25th America declared war on Spain.7 This war lasted for less than a year and was a big win for the United States. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10th, 1898.
As the US aided Cuba in its independence from Spain, the appearance of America’s power grew. This allowed the US to take over other small islands from Spain like the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico for their gain. The US used these islands for military power and usage of coaling stations and naval bases to help spread its
The United States did not go to war with Spain with the sole purpose of helping Cuba gain independence. The oppressive treatment of the Spaniards to the Cubans was only used to justify going into war. The U.S was the victor of the Spanish-American War because they were closer to Cuba and had a larger navy than Spain. This victory meant that the U.S was able to attain the islands in the Caribbean through the Treaty of Paris. This Treaty gave Guam,
Through examination of current and past textbooks, and comparing how they describe what caused America’s involvement in Cuba, one can be seen how America has slowly come to terms with its imperialistic past. Shortly following the Spanish American War, Americans chose to overlook the mistakes their country had made during the war. They insistently held on to their belief that America was the heroic force of the war, freeing defenseless Cubans from the oppressive rule of Spain.
Americans learned more about what happened during the Spanish American War through articles that exposed the violent tensions in Cuba. The Americans then felt the need that we should help Cuba against Spain. The Americans in power wanted to remain neutral, while the public wanted to go to war. The U.S. Maine was a battleship that was sent to Cuba to spy on them and understand the situation in person. While the ship was there, it mysteriously blew up, the blame was put on Spain for the explosion.
Essay One: Imperialism Flies circle great black lumps as the moist air ravages the corpses. Dried blood soaked into the ground after faceless soldiers brutally destroyed its owners’ lives. These were the stories in the newspapers, the movies, and the films. Horrified by these crimes against humanity, the American public was spurred into action against the Spanish oppressors. the United States invaded Cuba in 1898 to pursue humanitarian efforts.