PRIN - The Spanish American War (Lesson)
The Spanish American War
Imperialism - a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
Oxford Dictionaries – Oxford University Press
The Spanish American War
American businesses wished to gain new resources and markets abroad to compete with international commerce. American businesses also urged the American government to build up U.S. naval resources in order to protect their assets and increase democracy. The most notable acquisitions of imperialism in the era included Alaska and Hawaii. The acquisition of Alaska was not only a sizeable portion of physical land but also an enormous amount of natural resources. These natural resources included gold, oil, timber and minerals. The purchase of Alaska also stopped the intrusion of Russia into North America. Hawaii was acquired by the United States after a peaceful overthrow of the Hawaiian monarch. This transition was aided by the American government and military as American businessmen and planters located in Hawaii who were frustrated by the Hawaiian ruling family sought their assistance. Hawaii provided a very valuable, strategic geographic location in the Pacific Ocean for trade and military logistics. Hawaii also provided agricultural resources for Asian and American markets. Both territories eventually were annexed by the United States and ultimately became states themselves.
Similar to Hawaii, islands in the Caribbean provided logistical superiority for American military and for shipping and trade. Islands of the Caribbean provided sugar and tropical fruits for American markets. One of the most strategic and productive islands of the Caribbean was Cuba. The Cuban people often desired independence from Spain. When an attempted revolution was harshly put down by the Spanish government, many Americans were angered. American businesses were divided on Spanish rule in Cuba. Some businesses with connections to Cuba and/or Spain believed Spanish rule of Cuba would secure their investments and businesses. Other businesses believed a Cuban revolution would open new opportunities for businesses and trade. The United States government sent naval vessels to protect Americans and American assets in Cuba. Then, on February 15, 1898, the USS Maine (a U.S. navy ship) exploded in Havana Harbor.
American news outlets printed the news, many under extreme speculation urging the declaration of war, in a practice known as “yellow journalism.” The resulting response from the American public was one of outrage. However, without evidence as to the cause of the explosion, President William McKinley did not wish to go to war with Spain (It is now known that the USS Maine accidentally exploded). Spain quickly denied any wrongdoing and accepted any compromise to avoid war the U.S. government prompted. However, American opinion was in favor of war with Spain. The United States ultimately declared war after the discovery of the DeLome Letter. This letter written by Spanish diplomat Enrique DeLome belittled President McKinley and the American people.
As a display of the impact of international imperialism, the Spanish-American War actually began in the Philippines. The Philippines were a Pacific Ocean equivalent to Cuba. A logistical physical location in the Pacific, the Philippines were also under Spanish rule and wished to be independent. The U.S. military fought alongside the Filipino people and quickly dominated Spanish forces. Although under prepared and ill-supplied, the American military was successful in its campaigns in the Philippines, Cuba and the Caribbean. The U.S. military established a two-ocean-navy and became prepared for the coming World War I.
The 1898 Treaty of Paris and the Philippine American War
The Spanish-American War ended with the signing of the 1898 Treaty of Paris. This treaty remains a reflection of the era’s imperialistic attitudes. The United States gained the Pacific territory of Guam and the Caribbean territory of Puerto Rico. Cuba was free to seek its independence as a protectorate of the United States.
However, the Philippines were sold to the United States. The United States desired the Philippines as a strategic naval and commercial location. The United States purchased the Philippines from Spain because leaders believed their independence would subject them to foreign influence or attack. Having fought alongside the United States, the Filipino people believed the United States was essentially fighting for their independence. Once the 1898 Treaty of Paris was decided, the Filipino people responded in revolt.
Filipino nationalist Emilio Aguinaldo, originally fought with American forces during the Spanish-American War but now led forces against the United States in the Philippine-American War. The general confusion from American forces as to why the change in attitude from Filipino people resulted in harsh retaliation during the war. Outmatched, the Filipinos were defeated. They remained under American control until July 4th, 1946.
The Roosevelt Corollary
During the 1800’s French companies and the French government wished to construct a canal which would link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to save shipping cargo around the southern tip of South America. The 55-mile long canal saves ships 8,000 miles from New York around the southern tip of South America to the West Coast of the United States. In order to accomplish this feat, they contracted with the country of Panama and construction companies. The canal itself was a massive undertaking and numerous difficulties emerged. Political and economic instability in the region halted construction. Malaria was rampant and resulted in thousands of deaths during construction. Ultimately, the French pursuit of the canal was a failure. The United States government saw an opportunity; and under the leadership of President Theodore Roosevelt the United States purchased the rights to the canal.
The construction of the Panama Canal was an engineering feat. Its construction also led to information on malaria and its cure. With a much healthier workforce, the United States had a better chance of completing the canal. However, the political and economic instability was a constant threat to the canal’s completion. Theodore Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt Corollary. The corollary was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine excluded European colonization in the Western Hemisphere. Essentially, any outside influence by Europeans in the Western Hemisphere was seen as a threat to the United States. The Roosevelt Corollary expanded this to include economic interference in Latin America. Under the corollary the United States was responsible for Latin American debts. Thus, the United States held control over physical expansion and also economic control throughout the Western Hemisphere. This action was a direct reflection of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Diplomacy.” In conjunction with foreign diplomacy, Roosevelt worked to expand the United States’ Navy and military.
Review
Place the items in the order in which they occurred.