The Spanish American war was a product of Frederick Jackson Turner’s frontier thesis and the urbanization of America. In 1895, a rebellion broke out in Cuba, as Cuban patriots wanted independences from Spain. Through the yellow journalism, reports of Spain’s cruel military tactics lead to a public uproar in the U.S. However, most of these stories were exaggerated as a form to promote war. After an American battleship, the USS Maine, was destroyed, America was “forced” to start war and stop Spanish occupation. The war lasted from April 1898 till August 1898; through this war we took control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the islands of the Philippines. The end result of this war comes to show that the reasoning behind the war has more to do with
The Cubans wanted independence from Spain because they believe that they were under control of an imperial master, also foreign affairs such as the Wilson-Gorman Tarriff sent Cuban economy spiraling into turmoil. The Wilson-Gorman Tarriff Act put restrictions on sugar imports to the United States to meet the congressional demands for free sugar. Sadly, this hurt Cubans because they relied heavily on producing and selling sugar to the United States. The on rising violence of the Cuban rebellion between Spain and Cuba during 1898 lead to president McKinley trying to get Spain to agree to a diplomatic solution but ended up requesting American intervention when the situation worsened. This called for naval intervention so the government sent over
In the late 1800’s, Cuba was fighting for its independence and striving to break free from Spain’s control. On February 28, 1898, the U.S.S Maine mysteriously exploded, which was stationed on the coast of Cuba. This led to the U.S involvement in the Spanish-American War. There were many economic reasons why the U.S joined this war, however, there was nothing significant that would require their involvement. The U.S was already keeping a close eye on the battle between the other two nations; waiting for a reason to intervene. When the explosion of the U.S.S Maine occurred, it gave America the political push they needed to get involved in this war.
The Mexican American War started in 1846 because of Mexican resentment caused by the 1836 loss of Texas and the American’s desire for Mexico’s more northern territory. “On September 9, 1847 after two years of fighting, the Mexican American war essentially ended when the American Army captured Mexico City after the Battle of Chapultepec”( 6). The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war. United States leaders then acted morally superior in their negotiations of the treaty 1. During negotiations, United States officials viewed the “forcible incorporations” (1) of almost one half of Mexico’s land as an “event foreordained by providence and Manifest Destiny” (1). The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is written evidence of the biggest land acquisition in American history.
The Spanish-American War and World War1 were one of the most crucial moments in our history as Americans and the reasons we joined were for humanity and for our benefit. The U.S entered the Spanish American War and World War 1 for very similar reasons. They joined from innocent Americans getting killed or from being directly affected from the war, territory and resources, and unfair rules that hurt not just Americans but innocent people. These are the 3 main reasons why the U.S joined both of these wars.
The American government’s mission to “create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community” rarely impacts their actions in the 19th and early 20th century. The American government holds the wishes of the American people as paramount. International community generally received consideration when it involved other European countries such as Britain and Spain, yet held little bearing when in regard to Native Americans or Filipinos.
The Spanish and American War: The war began in 1898. There was conflict between Spain and the United States. The war started when Cuba wanted to become an independent country and did not want to be ruled by Spain no more. The Cubans rebelled against Spain and Spain tried to stop the rebellion as fast as they could. The United States got into the when the USS Maine was unexplainably sunk down into the ocean.
In the race of European imperialism, European countries dominated innocent African colonies. The driving force behind this? Africa’s bountiful resources. Before Africa’s colonization, the European presence in Africa was extremely limited, mainly due to lack of exploration and diseases (Background Essay). However, this changed as European prominence became largely influential through the discovery of Africa’s resource rich lands.
America’s entrance in the Spanish-American War was primarily due to the random explosion of the USS Maine on February 15, 1898, which killed 267 service men aboard. This attack leads to Congress’s vote to go to war against Spain. The United States’ desire to expand military overseas also played a part in the American entrance to this war. Economically speaking, the U.S. wanted Cuban crops to come to America, and not only Spain. “The war enabled the United States to establish its predominance in the Caribbean region and to pursue its strategic and economic interests in Asia” (“Spanish-American War”). The United States wanted sole control over the island of Cuba in order to grow the American economy, and the congress stated that President William
The War of 1812; A War that forged a Nation The War of 1812 lasted from 1812-1815, and was fought between the fledgling nation of the United States of America against the British Empire, including its North American colonies, as well as its Native American allies. The war was brought about by many reasons: The British War against Napoleonic France led to a paralysis of American trade, the impressment of U.S. merchant sailors into the Royal Navy which further impeded the American economy, British support of Native American tribes’ opposition towards American westward expansion, as well as outrage over affronts against national honor, notably due to British actions at sea. However, after nearly three years of war, no conclusive winner was determined.
The Spanish-American War occurred in the midst of discontent among Cubans and Puerto Rico, upset with America’s increased economic influence.
At first Panama was grateful to the United States then they realized that they were sold out. The French first attempted to build this canal but failed. Americans finished what the French Started. To begin with the Panama canal had a tremendous effect on America. For example before the Panama Canal in order to get from North to South America you had to go all the way around.
The U.S. was justified in going to war with Spain. In 1898, the USS Maine exploded, killing more than half the crew. Most of Americans believed it was Spain’ fault. After this happened, people wanted revenge. “Subsequent diplomatic failures to resolve the Maine matter, coupled with United States indignation over Spain’s brutal suppression of the Cuban rebellion and continued losses to American investment, led to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April 1898” (History 1). They were justified in doing this because many people were killed, it caused problems not just with them, but with families and it affected the country. “…killing 260 of the fewer than 400 American crew members aboard” (History 1). This took away opportunity for 260
Imagine inviting neighbors into one 's space and they take it for themselves. This is how Mexico felt in the Mexican-American war. Mexico had a substantial amount of land after declaring itself free from Spain. They wanted to increase the population by allowing U.S. settlers to come into Texas. However, this wasn’t a good idea because Americans had different beliefs on things such as slavery. After many fatal encounters between the two, America had gained control of the territory. They applied for annexation into the United States twice, but congress did not want to aggravate Mexican officials. Although, after James K. Polk was elected president in 1844, congress voted to annex Texas. The United States was not justified in the war with Mexico because they didn’t follow their laws, undisputed territory, and the idea of manifest destiny.
During the period of imperialism in Africa all of the countries were competing for the title of being the richest and the strongest. In fact, the whole scramble for Africa was an opportunity for countries to enhance their overall economy. For example, King Leopold II of Belgium was determined to get the area of land so he can become more wealthy. France’s politicians thought that an overseas company would strengthen the country when it came to wealth, prestige, and power, so as a result they invested in land more toward the west and north-west. Britain wanted to protect their trading routes which required them to purchase land in East Africa, and they they soon discovered the rewards of the land so the were determined to obtain as much as possible.