To What Extent Was the Spanish-American War a Turning Point in the Development of American Foreign Policy?

A foreign a policy that had an impact on US history from 1865 to 1940 was the Spanish American war.

The conflict and its aftermath contributed to long-running tensions between Latin America and the United States, that lasted throughout the 1900’s and into the 2000’s. In addition, the war marked the first time that U.S. troops from the North and South fought side-by-side after the American Civil War. African American and white troops fought together at times. The Spanish-American War also established the press as a powerful force in American politics. Newspapers urged the nation to war, and the reporting style that became known as yellow journalism, that is, sensational and sometimes inaccurate reporting, emerged. The war also introduced a popular new leader, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, to the American political scene. The Spanish American War marked the emergence of the United States of America as a world power.

After the Spanish-American War the focus of the U.S. security changed. United States people felt like they should help shape the international affairs not just sit back and react to them. This

The Spanish American War was a short war that had little to do with actual war purposes and

Up till the 1890’s the USA had a foreign policy of noninvolvement. The Spanish-American War was the point at which the U.S. marked its emergence as a world power.

The Spanish-American War was the event that placed the United States of America on the world stage. It showed the world the United States militaries might and strength and proved that the United States could back up their beloved Monroe Doctrine. It placed America as an Imperialistic Nation, which was one idea looked down upon by so many of its citizens. This war and its effect on the world had its pros and cons, but one thing is unarguably for certain, this event changed the way America has been viewed by the world. The ultimate cause of the war was the blowing up of the USS Maine and the United States of America became an Imperialistic Nation when it annexed the Hawaiian Islands and Philippines.

The Spanish-American War was an ongoing war that was fought in 1898 between the United States and Spain. This was the war that ended the Spanish colonial rule over territories in the Americas and ended up resulting in U.S. gaining pieces of territories in western Pacific America and Latin America.

America practiced the tradition of isolationism when it came to its foreign policy for 110 years. The foundation for isolationism is typically given credit to George Washington in his farewell speech when he states, “The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible” America continued the policy of isolationism or non-interventionism up until the Spanish-American war. This is the first time in American history where significant foreign intervention is seen taking place.

By the end of the nineteenth century the United States had transformed from an agrarian nation into a leading industrial power. Continued recessions, including the Panic of 1893, convinced some influential Americans to believe that the key to avoiding future economic contractions lay in acquiring overseas markets. The problem facing the United States, however, was a lack of available real estate. Between 1865 and 1900 leading European empires had also expanded their territorial holdings, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia. Thus, for American imperialists, if the U.S. was to become a great power and improve its economy, it needed territory. And, the sooner the better.

Due to the quick process of the war and the territorial gains of American victory, American diplomat John Hay had deemed the conflict as a “splendid, little war.” Hay’s remarks on the Spanish-American War, however, are irrational; for the conflict with Spain was not only unsplendid in its causation as well as its prosecution, but also big in its scope. The events leading up to the commence of the war cannot logically seem splendid, for the United States was forced into war to preserve its economy and its government. Also, the execution of the war itself was not admirable, as American soldiers were forced into unfavorable tactics to win an already effortless war. The war had taken place from east to west throughout the world, tying the United States into the grand scheme of global dominance through its triumphs of the Pacific and

In 1898 the Spanish American War or nicknamed “The Splendid Little War,” began and was short lived lasting roughly four months forever changing our country for the better and the worse. Although the war might have seemed focused on freeing Cuba from Spain and gaining independence for Cuba and the Philippines, it was actually stimulated by nationalism and commercialism. Commercialism was a major factor when declaring war because the United States depended on Cuba and the Philippines for trade and business with other countries, especially in Asia and Latin America. The young nation gained wealth and strength. Other minor motives for the war include the United States coming to the aid of the Cubans in their revolt against Spain and the feeling that the United States had the right to go into the Philippines because it had a superior culture. How could such a “little” war have such a large impact on American society at the turn of the 20th century?

Theodore Roosevelt's decisions were vital in the battles at San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill. He was one of the leading factors in these victories. Shortly after these battles the Spanish American War came to an end. Spain had to grant America a large amount of land. The Treaty of Paris gave the U.S. Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The war destroyed the Spanish Empire and ushered in the American Empire (T.R. the Rough Rider).

The War of 1898 established America as a major global player. Just prior to this war, Alfred Thayer Mahan’s ideals influence the notion that the United States could project power without occupying societies and this concept was put to the test during the Spanish-American War (Suri, Lecture 7). Cuba was a part of the Spanish empire and seeking to separate itself from it with the help of the United States; however America did not want to get involved.

During the Spanish American war, American policy makers became obligated to think about more global involvement because of new technological advancements. Rosenberg explains

The U.S. was unsure what to do with them at first, but imperialism won by one vote with a half promise to grant them independence in time and denied the Philippines of immediate independence in favor of nation building. To imperialist, the Filipino people were unable to be self-governed