Transcript Spanish-American War

How the United States
Became a World Power in
th
the Early 20 Century
During the time following the
Civil War in America (18651890), the United States
grew in many ways. The
population grew because of
lots of immigrants.
Economically the country
grew because of lots of new
inventions (including the
use of electricity), improved
transportation (railroads
especially), and a better
food supply (farming and
ranching in the Great
Plains). Once the country
started growing
economically, the US was
on its way to becoming an
important player in world
events.
The first area of the world that the
US started getting involved in
was Latin America. Way back
in 1882, President James
Monroe had issued the
“Monroe Doctrine”. This
stated that the US would not
allow European countries to
create any more colonies in
North or South America. While
the US was not really strong
enough to enforce this doctrine,
the Europeans had other issues
to deal with and didn’t really
push the issue. By the time the
1900’s rolled around, the US
was strong enough to enforce
the Monroe Doctrine and it
became the basis for much of
our foreign policy.
Way back in 1868 Cuba tried
for the first time to get
independence from Spain. In
1898 the United States
decided to help Cuba with
their fight. Fighting of the
Spanish-American War
took place throughout the
Caribbean and also on many
islands in the Pacific
including the Philippines.
Many Americans wanted to
stay neutral in the CubanSpanish conflict, but the US
finally entered the war when
the USS Maine, was blown
up while docked in Havana
Harbor in Cuba.
A major figure and hero that came out of the war was Theodore
(Teddy) Roosevelt. Roosevelt led a group of soldiers called the
“Roughriders” who fought in Cuba. The Roughriders were a
group made up of people from all walks of life. They included
rich, poor, business owners, college students, cowboys , circus
performers, factory workers and lots more. A major impact of
the Spanish-American War was that it unofficially ended
Reconstruction. Southerners who had been angry since the end
of the Civil War began to finally think of themselves as
Americans again, and the US as their country.
As a result of the SpanishAmerican War, many
changes were made in
governments around the
world. Cuba became an
independent country.
The United States took
over many former
Spanish colonies such
as Puerto Rico, Guam,
and Wake Island.
The victory in the Spanish-American War also caused some
division in the US. While some people wanted the US to
take over new lands, others wanted us to help others
become independent. In the Philippines specifically there
was conflict. As soon as fighting with the Spanish ended,
the Philippinos turned and started fighting against the
Americans. They wanted to ensure they were independent
rather than simply getting a new colonial power ruling
over them.
Teddy Roosevelt rode the
popularity he gained fighting
in Cuba to become the Vice
President. When President
William McKinley was
killed in 1901, Roosevelt
became the youngest
president ever. As President,
Roosevelt wanted to extend
US power. He issued the
Roosevelt Corollary, an addon to the Monroe Doctrine.
This corollary stated that the
US had the right to intervene
with its military in Latin
America in order to keep
things stable. Roosevelt had
a saying that the US should
“speak softly and carry a big
stick” in order to get its way.
One of the biggest actions of
Roosevelt was the building of
the Panama Canal. The US
wanted to build a canal
through Central America to
shorten the trip from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. In
1903 Panama belonged to
Colombia. When Colombia
demanded more money than
the US was willing to pay,
Roosevelt encouraged
Panamanians to rebel against
Colombia. Once they
rebelled (with US protection),
the US signed a treaty with
the new government and built
the canal.
Although the US was expanding
its influence, it still did not
want to get involved with
conflicts between European
countries. In 1914 fighting
broke out in Europe after the
assassination of Archduke
Ferdinand of AustriaHungary. Treaties among
European countries caused
almost all of Europe to enter
the war on one side or the
other. The United States did
not want to get involved, but
wanted to continue trade with
both sides.
Eventually, the US was
forced to enter the war
when the citizens felt
their own safety was
threatened. Two
events caused this
feeling. In May of
1915 the cruise ship
Lusitania was sunk
by German U-boats
killing 1198 people
(many who were
Americans).
In January of 1917 a
telegram from German
Secretary Arthur
Zimmerman was sent to
Mexico. The telegram
stated that if Mexico
attacked the US, Germany
would help them regain
southwestern territories lost
in the Mexican-American
war. The Zimmerman
Telegram infuriated
Americans and led to a
declaration of war against
Germany in April 1917.