United States Involvement In The Spanish-American War

Words: 1381
Pages: 6
Open Document
The United States involvement in the Spanish-American War seemed inevitable due to its desire to rescue and control, however, it was unnecessary and proved not to be beneficial to the American people. Many American lives were lost and the sacrifice to America was not worth any benefit.
The United States genuinely avoided conflict with Spain. President McKinley, his cabinet, as well as Spain tried to avoid going to war. While Americans were aware of the conflict in Cuba, the public supported President McKinley’s open communication with the them. In April 1898, America officially went to war with Spain. The American battleship Maine was in the Havana Harbor off the coast of Cuba to provide supplies to Cubans which were suffering under Spain’s rule. The battleship suddenly exploded, killing 262. America instantly accused Spain, however, Spain adamantly denied fault. Unfortunately, American media largely publicized this event and blamed Spain. Americans were outraged and demanded war with Spain as the only resolve. Later, President …show more content…
While it may seem like a noble gesture to share something that you feel is good with someone else, it truly remains a weak argument for pursing and joining a war. I feel this was a genuine motivator for some, but for the majority, it was a justification for the selfish drive and desire for America to be more powerful. The irony here is that a Christian teaching tells that killing and stealing is a sin, however, there were some casualties of war, and we tried to take the land from another country who had taken land that was not theirs. Again, I would agree with the Anti-Imperialist view. Asserting the need to spread Christianity is a weak justification for Expansionism. In addition, if Missionaries want to spread Christianity, they can visit the countries rather than the United States taking power over the foreign
Show More

Related Documents: United States Involvement In The Spanish-American War

Spanish American War Research Paper

The Spanish-American War, fought in 1898, marked a significant turning point in American history, shaping the nation's trajectory in international affairs. This conflict not only resulted in the emergence of the United States as a global power but also had far-reaching consequences on its foreign policy, diplomacy, and territorial acquisitions. The origins of the Spanish-American War can be traced to the Cuban struggle for independence from Spanish rule. The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor…

Words 530 - Pages 3

Spanish-American War, By Jason Briker

In his article titled “Spanish-American War,” Jason Briker examines whether or not the United States should have helped Cuba fight against Spain. Briker outlines the arguments both for fighting and staying neutral. Proponents of entering the war argue that America rightly assisted another country in obtaining freedom from an oppressor, an act which promoted democracy. As a bonus, the United States used the situation to acquire territories from Spain, and consequently, profited our nation economically…

Words 647 - Pages 3

Foreign Policy Imperialism

Foreign Policy has been changed, adapted, and transformed many times over the course of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in fact a cause of that would be America’s early isolation, Imperialism, Spanish-American War (USA’s involvement in Latin Affairs), World War I; three different presidents’ Taft, Roosevelt, Wilson. One major cause of the change in Foreign Policy in the U.S. is America’s isolation, the rise of imperialism, and anti-imperialistic views. America’s Foreign Policy is…

Words 1043 - Pages 5

Cuban War Of Independence Case Study

overview the different positions between Cuba, Spain and the United States during the Cuban War of Independence and conclusively will determine whether the involvement of the United States could be seen as hegemony or expansionism. The Cuban War of Independence was the last of three liberation wars between Cuba and Spain from 1985 – 1989, the ultimate three months of the conflict escalated to become the Spanish-American war with United States forces intervening in Cuba. The intervention in Cuba was largely…

Words 407 - Pages 2

Spanish: United States and Cuban Insurgent Attacks Essay

The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, the result of American intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. American attacks on Spain's Pacific possessions led to involvement in the Philippine Revolution and ultimately to the Philippine–American War.[8] Revolts against Spanish rule had occurred for some years in Cuba. There had been war scares before, as in the Virginius Affair in 1873. In the late 1890s, American public opinion was agitated by anti-Spanish…

Words 367 - Pages 2

Cuban Revolution Essay

The Uprising of the Cuban Revolution: Interests, motivations, and ultimate conflicts The crisis of the Cuban Revolution and U.S. involvement remains a controversial topic in Latin American history. Over the last 5 ½ decades the government of Cuba has undergone significant changes as a result of United States military, economic, and political interference. Many historians use valuable information as evidence to understand how and why the Revolution began, results of the Revolution, and overall…

Words 771 - Pages 4

The Spanish-American War

changes the way a process happens. In American history, many of these turning points turn out to be wars. Wars can change many things: how people act towards each other, economic status of countries, power in the world, and even policies of interaction between different countries, aka foreign policy. The Spanish-American War of 1898 is one war that could qualify as a turning point in American history, specifically in American foreign policy. The Spanish-American War was a turning point in foreign policy…

Words 1214 - Pages 5

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

Tp what extent was the Spanish-American War a turning point in the development of American foreign policy? The Spanish-American War of 1898 could be seen as the pivotal point in foreign policy as it marks America’s first engagement with a foreign enemy in the dawning age of modern warfare however, one could also argue that the idea had always existed in American politics. Until the end of the nineteenth century, American foreign policy essentially followed the guidelines laid down by George…

Words 1230 - Pages 5

Spanish American War Influence

rive. This influence was first used in the Spanish American War. President McKinley went to war with Spain in 1898 due to humanitarian reasons and a belief that America should intervene to help its neighbors. It was in this “Splendid little War” that America defeated Spain and found itself in possession of the Philippines. “That there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by God's grace do the very best…

Words 1845 - Pages 8

Essay on Lawyers: United Kingdom

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), the American War of Independence,[8] or simply the Revolutionary War in the United States, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies, but gradually grew into a world war between Britain on one side and the newly formed United States, France, Netherlands and Spain on the other. The main result was an American victory and European recognition of the independence of the United States, with mixed results for the other powers…

Words 728 - Pages 3