Some argue and speculate that when America entered into the Spanish war it was to help Cuba gain its independence from Spain. Yet, after the war, Cuba was in ruins and still didn’t have its true independence. Next, America joined the Great War which they felt violated by German U-boats sinking British and American ships which brought America as the Neutral country into the war. The U.S. were allies with the British and French which America gave them economic investments, and lead to Mexico invading the U.S. for supplying them and declaring war on Germany. Yet none of this would have involved America if they would have stayed out of European affairs. Both the Spanish and Great War left questions on America’s history on whether or not they should
1. The Spanish American War which took place in 1898 - The Spanish American War portrayed America's rise and decline of the European powers. The war also led to America gaining territories and colonies in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean (the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, The Marianas and a host of other territories). The possession of the Philippines in particular led to permanent American involvement in Asian affairs.
The reason for this is it was not fought either for freedom, not for security, and neither was it an internal conflict. The Spanish-American war was fought over influence. This is termed as imperialism, as both Spain and the United States fought for power and control over others, and the U.S government was influenced and drove into this war by Yellow Journalism. Yellow Journalism is sensational as it exaggerates twists and amplifies news so as to drive public opinion, and this was the primary cause of the US-Spain war. The leading journalists who pushed the US into this war were Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph.
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
Imagine fighting in a war with 6,000 soldiers while you’re up against 243,000. Seems impossible right? Well in fact that’s what happened in the War of 1812. America had 246,000 less soldiers than the British. After The War of 1812, America realized it needed to upgrade and improve their tiny army.
At the height of the Gilded Age, the want of power outside of the American borders controlled the causes and ends of war, specifically the Spanish-American War. A war that lead a country whose history was founded on independence to seek dominance over its own colonies. There were two clear opinions to this imperialist stance, for and against. Both opinions were ironically based in the same general ideas only with different perspectives on them. Arguments and questions based on morality, economic stability, and God given purposes.
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.
We chose this topic because America took a stand against Spain when they blew up the USS Maine. On February 15, 1898 the USS Maine was in Havana, when it was blown up killing 260 American sailors. America blamed it on Spain, which they controlled Cuba and Puerto Rico, and declared war. We also chose this topic because we wanted to learn more about the war and also to teach other more about it. The Spanish American war is not taught a lot in school because it only lasted three months.
War is a universal component and is integral to the history of many countries around the world. The formation of the United States of America could arguably be said to be structured through the course of many wars whether domestic or international. One of these wars significant to the identity and history of America is that of The French and Indian War otherwise known as the Seven Years’ War. The French and Indian war began in 1754 and was actually a conflict between Great Britain and France extending into North American territories (Johnson, 2008). The war began due to a series of conflicts regarding land between the British and their Iroquois allies, and the French and their own Native allies.
The Spanish-American War in 1898 marked a turning point in United States foreign policy due to the fact that it was the first time America stepped away from economic isolationism and embraced imperialism. Before the war, the country was dealing with Reconstruction and Manifest Destiny. After the war, the country was regulating entire civilized populations through acquired territories from the war, and the Panama Canal. Before the Spanish-American War, America was an isolationist country that kept its focus on internal affairs that were directly involved with the post-Civil War era. In particular, it related to Reconstruction and Manifest Destiny.
“Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” (Norris 123). Years before the war, the United States and Spain were at peace with one another until April 1898. President Mckinley was pressured into retaliation caused from the sinking of the battleship Maine and words from the press.
In chapter 21, America was influenced by World War I from 1913 to 1917. At this time, America struggled with Latin America such as Dominican Republic, Mexico, even though Wilson would handle some problems well during the his presidency. After The Great War broke out in Europe, America didn’t care about Europe. However, America just stood in neutrality based on Wilson’s announcement, and they supported some countries which were not The Triple Alliance through finances and some resources that would help in the war. At this time, Europe was separated by two organizations.
In a way, they just wanted their freedom like in the rest of America. This paper will show evidence that supports America’s right to go to war. When Mexico declared its freedom from Spain in 1821, the size of Mexico was equal to the United States (background essay). American farmers were encouraged to settle in the Mexican providence of Texas since the land was was empty (background essay). Once the settlers came it turned out to be
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.
So we helped Britain, France, Russia, and Italy. Although reluctantly at first, America was drawn into the European war. America would have loved to remain neutral. Americans were drawn in mainly for three reasons. The first reason was that the Germans crushed Belgium trying to get to France.
America had tried hard not to get involved in European affairs and conflicts, but with our growing connections it became hard. Businessmen saw the opportunities and profitable advancements of Europe, which brought a large number of American 's overseas. Great Britain was a major trade partner with the U.S, so we were indirectly involved in their war. The Germans started sinking any British ships that came into view of their Unterseeboots, even if they were passenger or fishing vessels. When