How is imperialism and the Spanish America war related?
First, what is imperialism?
Then, what were the causes of the Spanish-American War?
Do you see the connection?
Imperialism is to take over
No I don't understand...
Read carefully.
http://www.google.com/webhp?source=search_app#q=imperialism+definition
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/spanish-american-war-causes-war.html
Imperialism and the Spanish-American War are closely related in terms of their historical context and consequences. To understand their relationship, we first need to define imperialism as the policy of a powerful nation extending its control over a less powerful or independent territory.
The Spanish-American War took place in 1898 between the United States and Spain. The war began as a result of the Cuban struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule, but it quickly escalated into a broader conflict involving other Spanish colonies such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
Here's how imperialism and the Spanish-American War are connected:
1. Desire for Influence: At the end of the 19th century, major world powers, including the United States, began seeking colonies and territories outside their own borders to gain economic and political influence. This period marked the height of imperialism, with nations vying for control over resources and markets.
2. Cuban Independence Movement: Cuba had been under Spanish control for centuries, and by the late 1800s, a strong independence movement had emerged. The United States, motivated by economic interests and sympathy towards the Cuban cause, began supporting the rebels, furthering its own influence in the region.
3. Explosion of USS Maine: In 1898, the USS Maine, a U.S. warship stationed off the coast of Cuba, exploded and sank. Though the cause of the explosion remains disputed, it served as a catalyst for the Spanish-American War. Newspapers, driven by sensationalism and yellow journalism, blamed Spain for the incident, pushing public sentiment towards war.
4. Conflict in the Philippines: While the focus of the war was initially Cuba, the United States also took the opportunity to expand its imperial ambitions to the Philippines, another Spanish colony. The U.S. Navy quickly defeated the Spanish fleet in the Pacific, leading to the colonization of the Philippines and establishing it as a U.S. territory.
5. Treaty of Paris: The war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in December 1898, which officially ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas. Spain ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States while also recognizing Cuban independence.
6. Rise of American Imperialism: The outcome of the Spanish-American War solidified the United States' emergence as a global imperial power. It gained significant territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific, furthering its economic and military influences worldwide.
In summary, the Spanish-American War was a critical event that marked a turning point in American history and the rise of U.S. imperialism. It provided the United States with territorial acquisitions and increased its presence on the global stage.