The Spanish-American War was a worldwide conflict that began because the U.S. wanted to control Cuba and the Philippines. Newspapers published sensational stories that inflamed Americans. In the end, the U.S. won and gained control of both islands, making them world leaders in international affairs. The war was not without its challenges. One example of this is the U.S.-Spanish relations, which were strained at times.
The Spanish-American War had many complexities. In 1898, the U.S. rapidly developed a modern navy with a large fleet of warships. It was led by the future 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, who served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and aggressively supported the war with Spain over Cuba. Roosevelt fought at the battle of San Juan Hill. His actions at the battle were crucial to the success and viability of the U.S. Army.
The Spanish-American War influenced public opinion on American imperialism. Although the war was brief, it had a significant impact on Cuba’s position. The United States established itself to be a powerful global power and defender democracy. Unfortunately, this resulted in terrible consequences for the United States-Cuba relationship. What was the impact of Spanish-American War on the United States of America?
The Spanish-American War was not just about Cuba’s independence, but also about the United States’ strong interest in its success. American businesses worried that the Spanish would take their business and the Cubans’ prices would drop and the Spanish would be stronger economically. They didn’t want to be forced to confront a war with Cuba. Moreover, their presence in Cuba would affect the prices of their goods, causing an economic crisis in the U.S.
The Spanish-American War ended less than three months, resulting in Cuba’s “independence” and the U.S. annexation of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Yellow journalism contributed to the conflict and helped America gain these territories. These countries were once feared for their isolation. However, thanks to the war, the United States has become a global superpower.
The US Army had 17,000 troops deployed in Cuba. Many of these troops were poorly trained and received outdated weapons. They wore wool uniforms. There were also African American regiments. And future President Theodore Roosevelt led the “Rough Riders” cavalry unit. But the U.S. Army had to deal with these obstacles to achieve their goal of independence. They won the war and liberated Cuba from Spanish rule.
The United States had many benefits from the Spanish-American War. It helped the United States gain several new possessions, such as the Philippines, GUAM, and Puerto Rico. Spain was required to pay $20 million to the Philippines for compensation for their infrastructure losses. It shook the Spanish national psyche, resulting in the Generation of ’98. Moreover, the United States gained several islands throughout the world, including the Canary Islands and the Philippines. The war led to a debate over the wisdom of expansionism.
The Spanish-American War was fought in the Philippines. The battle at Manila Bay was won by the United States. The Platt Amendment was also won by the United States. This amendment prevented Cuba from annexing Cuba and allowed the United States to shape the country’s affairs in the future. In 1898, the United States took the initiative to shape the fate of Cuba and abolish the Spanish hegemony.