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Essay on Spanish American War
The Spanish-American War took place in 1898, and resulted in the United States of America gaining control over the former colonies of Spain in the Caribbean and Pacific. The war killed at least 1,500 US troops disease losses were much higher and perhaps 10,000 Spanish soldiers and sailors Cuba losses in the summer of 1898 are not commonly tabulated. However, as a humanitarian cause it was a success since this US intervention rapidly put an end to the far bloodier 1895-1898 Cuban War of Independence. Cuba would be declared independent in 1902.
Victory in the Spanish American War made the U.S. a nation with global interests. In one brief clash of arms the U.S. acquired Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippine Islands from Spain. In addition, Cuba was granted independence, with Spain assuming its national debt. Many Americans were appalled by the new U.S. foreign policy, which they equated with imperialism. Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate and philanthropist, offered to buy the Philippines for $20,000,000 and give the country its freedom. Many other Americans, however, talked of manifest destiny and the duty of the U.S. to spread its form of civilization far and wide.
The Spanish-American War was fought for a number of reasons. These included the cruel treatment of the Cuban people by the Spanish government, yellow journalism, business interests and the fact that the United States government was wanting to flex it's muscles as a world power. The spark that ignited this conflict was the sinking of the US battleship Maine in Havana harbor February 15, 1898. It was assumed that the Spanish government was behind it but never proven. The war lasted from April to August, 1898. This was a war that the United States was unprepared to fight.....
