What were the main causes of the Spanish-American War?

The Spanish-American War was primarily caused by the Cuban War of Independence, yellow journalism, and the USS Maine explosion in Havana Harbor.

What were the outcomes of the Spanish-American War?

The outcomes of the Spanish-American War included the Treaty of Paris, America's emergence as a global power, the imposition of the Platt Amendment on Cuba, and the decline of Spain as a global power.

How did the Spanish-American War shape America's global emergence?

The Spanish-American War played a significant role in shaping America's global emergence by expanding its influence in the Caribbean and the Pacific, shifting its foreign policy, and showcasing its naval power.

What were the causes and outcomes of the Spanish-American War, and how did it shape the United States' emergence as a global power?

Itihas Pathshala

23 Jun, 2023

The Spanish-American War: Causes, Outcomes, and America's Global

The Spanish-American War had significant causes and outcomes that shaped the United States' emergence as a global power. Here are the key points

Causes	Outcomes and Global Emergence
Cuban War of Independence	Treaty of Paris
Yellow Journalism	Emergence as a Global Power
USS Maine Explosion	Platt Amendment
	Impact on Spain

Causes of the Spanish-American War:

1. Cuban War of Independence: The Cuban people were engaged in a struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule, and their fight garnered sympathy and support in the United States.

2. Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized news coverage, particularly by newspapers like William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, intensified public sentiment against Spain and fueled support for war.

3. USS Maine Explosion: The explosion and sinking of the USS Maine battleship in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in 1898, further heightened tensions between the United States and Spain, although the exact cause remains disputed.

Outcomes of the Spanish-American War:

1. Treaty of Paris: The war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1898. Under this agreement, Spain recognized Cuba's independence, ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States, and sold the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million.

2. Emergence as a Global Power: The Spanish-American War marked the United States' emergence as a global power with territorial acquisitions in the Caribbean and the Pacific. It expanded the nation's overseas territories and established it as a player on the world stage.

3. Platt Amendment: The United States imposed the Platt Amendment on Cuba, giving the U.S. significant control over Cuban affairs and the right to intervene militarily, which continued until the amendment's repeal in 1934.

4. Impact on Spain: The defeat in the war led to the decline of the Spanish Empire as a global power and accelerated calls for political and social reforms within Spain.

Impact on United States' Emergence as a Global Power:

1. Increased Imperialistic Ambitions: The acquisition of territories such as the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam propelled the United States into the realm of colonialism and sparked debates about the nation's role as an imperial power.

2. Expansion of Influence in the Caribbean and the Pacific: The United States gained strategic military bases and increased its influence in the Caribbean region and the Pacific, setting the stage for future involvement in these areas.

3. Shift in Foreign Policy: The Spanish-American War led to a shift in U.S. foreign policy, as the nation embraced an interventionist approach and pursued an active role in global affairs.

4. Heightened Naval Power: The conflict showcased the United States' growing naval strength, particularly with the decisive naval victory in the Battle of Manila Bay, affirming the importance of a powerful navy in projecting influence worldwide.

Overall, the Spanish-American War had profound causes and outcomes that shaped the United States' emergence as a global power, marked by territorial acquisitions, shifts in foreign policy, and increased involvement in international affairs.