As the Virginia SOL focus suggests, the Spanish-American was a conflict that gained our country respect from older European nations, as well as new territories around the world, made the reputation of a future president, and forced the U.S. to look outward to the rest of the world as we faced the decision to become a global empire or not. This short unit examines an important but often overlooked turning point in American history
Resources:
Spanish-American War page at the History ChannelSpanish-American War page at the SmithsonianArchived page on the war at the U. S. State Department - Office of the Historian Panama Canal at the History ChannelThe United States emerged as a world power as a result of victory over Spain in the Spanish-American War.Economic interests and public opinion often influence United States involvement in international affairs.Reasons for the Spanish-American War•Protection of American business interests in Cuba•American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain•Rising tensions between Spain and the United States as a result of the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor•Exaggerated news reports of events (yellow journalism)Results of the Spanish-American War•The United States emerged as a world power.•Cuba gained independence from Spain.•The United States gained possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine as a way to prevent European involvement in the affairs of Latin American countries.Use of Big Stick Diplomacy•Example: Building the Panama Canal•Grew the United States Navy as a show of American powerAdded the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine•Europe was warned not to interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere; the United States would exercise “international police power” in the Americas. •The Roosevelt Corollary asserted the right of the United States to interfere in the economic matters of other nations in the Americas.
As the Virginia SOL focus suggests, the Spanish-American was a conflict that gained our country respect from older European nations, as well as new territories around the world, made the reputation of a future president, and forced the U.S. to look outward to the rest of the world as we faced the decision to become a global empire or not. This short unit examines an important but often overlooked turning point in American history
Resources:
Spanish-American War page at the History ChannelSpanish-American War page at the SmithsonianArchived page on the war at the U. S. State Department - Office of the Historian Panama Canal at the History ChannelThe United States emerged as a world power as a result of victory over Spain in the Spanish-American War.Economic interests and public opinion often influence United States involvement in international affairs.Reasons for the Spanish-American War•Protection of American business interests in Cuba•American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain•Rising tensions between Spain and the United States as a result of the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor•Exaggerated news reports of events (yellow journalism)Results of the Spanish-American War•The United States emerged as a world power.•Cuba gained independence from Spain.•The United States gained possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine as a way to prevent European involvement in the affairs of Latin American countries.Use of Big Stick Diplomacy•Example: Building the Panama Canal•Grew the United States Navy as a show of American powerAdded the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine•Europe was warned not to interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere; the United States would exercise “international police power” in the Americas. •The Roosevelt Corollary asserted the right of the United States to interfere in the economic matters of other nations in the Americas.