Good Example Of Spanish American War Essay

At the time of Spanish American War, the United States went from relative isolation to increased global involvement because it suggested joining of the United States in the struggle for world hegemony; it also began the era of imperialism. The consequences on American society of that greater involvement was demonstration the power of the new state and transformation it into a key player in the political arena.
Ever since the beginning of the XIX century, the United States attracted a particular interest to Cuba, as it had a convenient strategic position. By the end of the XIX century, Cuba and Puerto Rico were the colonies of Spain. In 1895, Cuba began the uprising under the slogan of independence. The rebels were merciless; they burned cities, factories, plantations, physically exterminated supporters of the Spanish administration. The Governor-General during the suppression of the revolt also posted cruelty. As a result, 250 thousand Cubans were killed.
What was happening in Cuba could not worry the US administration, as citizens of the USA have invested more than $ 50 million in property and industry in Cuba. US Senate demanded from Madrid to resolve the conflict. Spain was asked to conclude peaceful agreement with the rebels, to relinquish sovereignty over Cuba and withdraw its troops. Madrid refused.
The US government was well aware that Europe did not want to strengthen the United States’ position. Nevertheless, it also knew that in case of the mutual rivalry of the European powers, they would not agree on a joint intervention, but none of them agreed to act separately for fear of the United States to push for rapprochement with any of its rivals. In addition, the United States was at peace. President McKinley presented in Spain the new requirements in addition to the previously adopted by it - the usual technique of diplomacy used when they want to, no matter what was the cause of the conflict. Now the US has demanded the evacuation of Cuba. This, of course, the Spanish diplomacy could not accept. The war became inevitable. April 21 diplomatic relations between Spain and the United States were broken off, and then first the Spanish government, then the US Congress declared a state of war. None of the European powers did not intervene in favor of Spain.
Power of the US artillery exceeded Spanish. Hope to Madrid could give only Spanish armored cruisers, which were the only class, surpassing the US rate. However, it crosses the overall technical backwardness of the other classes of ships. Funds could not be developed for the war in Spain was not, it was not eager to carry it, and the Spanish generals did not develop a clear strategic plan.
The United States won a quick victory, defeating the Spanish army and navy. December 10, 1898 in Paris, was signed by the Spanish-American world. Spain refused to Cuba and soon the island was declared "independent". In fact, he came under the protectorate of the United States. Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, according to the peace treaty, the transition to the United States. As already noted, the Philippines and Germany claimed. However, German imperialism had to be content with less. The German government has made only the fact that Spain had sold him located in the Pacific islands, yet remained in her possession - Caroline, Mariana and Palau. The struggle between Germany and the US for the possession of the Spanish colonies clearly demonstrated increase in the expansionist tendencies of their foreign policy, in the fight for the base and the strong points required for subsequent seizures, especially in the Far East. Strengthening the position of the two powers in the Pacific led to a further aggravation of the German-American contradictions
The reasons of the Spanish-American war was the desire of the United States economically subjugate the Spanish colony of Cuba for further expansion in Latin America and in the future to limit and eliminate the presence of the European powers in the Western Hemisphere.
Spain, which was in a very difficult economic and socio-political situation, did not want war and was ready to make concessions to the Cuban revolutionaries and the US government, but the administration of McKinley deliberately went to the confrontation, choosing a pretext for war explosion of the US battleship "Maine" in the bay Havana.
Chronologically, the war took three months, and its main point was the naval battle in Manila Bay and Santiago de Cuba. After the victory in both battles, the US Army with the support of the rebels took almost unhindered main cities of Cuba and the Philippines.
According to the terms of a peace treaty, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines came under US jurisdiction. Thus, the US administration objectives were achieved. Despite the proclamation of the independence of Cuba in 1902, in fact the republic remained under US control.
The consequences of this war deserve much more of our attention than the war itself, in fact, quite small, especially in the land of its parts. After it collapsed, not only the old colonial great power, and relegated to second or even third plan, but there is a new power, full power, and began to spread beyond their previous limits, even in other parts of the world.
With the victory over Spain, the United States became a world power and began their world politics. The success of it was required mainly fleet and only in a very small extent the army, which would not have withstood any other European power. In the future, this will likely change. Brilliant and rapid success of the United States must above all to the fact that they are at the time - over the last decade before the war - have begun for the creation of the fleet. Court of staffed a good officer and commanding staff, were in all cases up to the mark in the fight against numerically equivalent to the adversary because of its organization, training and management left much to be desired.
If the war began six years earlier, the United States would hardly have achieved such rapid progress. Now, after the war, they began for the further development of its already well-organized fleet. In addition, they have come, and to the consciousness of the need for a strong standing army. Numerous sad experience with volunteers and even the organization of the regular army showed all too clearly the shortcomings of the system adopted.
The Spanish-American War was a kind of world politics milestone. Until now, the section went territories still none of the European states are not captured. Now the United States acquired the colony belonging to Spain. The Spanish-American War was the first war not for the division and redivision of the world.