The Spanish American war was a four months war between the United States and Spain. The war was initiated by the brutality of the Spanish in Cuba. However, though the war was largely brought about by the Americas efforts to expand, many of the Americans supported the idea of freeing the oppressed Cuban people.

In the 1890s, the America had mixed feelings about expanding overseas. Towards the start of the 2oth century, the inhibitors of expansion collapsed and America decided to expand to the Pacific. The idea was not to expand to the pacific nor acquire bases or trade but to acquire Cuba and free the people. First, America traded with Cuba more than Spain did. In 1985, the Spanish rule took sugar off the list of free items in the middle of a depression, which had already damaged the Cuban sugar market (Crider, 2015).  America found it necessary to defend the people of Cuba.

A major consequence of the war was the United States acquisition of Guam, the Philippians and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico and Guam were acquired as a direct result of the war actions. However, the Philippians was an unexpected acquisition.  The U.S. government had no plans to seize Philippians. It was thought that the Philippians would stay with Spain after the war or become an independent country. However, the U.S. citizens pressured the government t to acquire the Philippians. The Wall Street wanted the profits from the islands while the protestant ministries wanted the all the islands (Crider, 2015). They thus pressured the government to annex the Philippians.

Reference

Crider, Victoria. “What Were the Causes and Consequences of the Spanish-America.” Prezi.com. January 28, 2015. Accessed March 25, 2016. https://prezi.com/phsjim6vuyja/what-were-the-causes-and-consequences-of-the-spanish-america/.

Response to David Jones

Great work David, the war lasted for about four months.  America wanted to save the people of Cuba from oppression but also to acquire Cuba as a means of expanding overseas.  In addition, America traded with Cuba more than the Spanish did and the Spanish rule in Cuba was hindering this. The war led to the acquisition of Guam, the Philippians and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico and Guam were acquired as a direct result of the war actions. However, the Philippians was an unexpected acquisition.  The U.S. government had no plans to seize Philippians. It was thought that the Philippians would stay with Spain after the war or become an independent country.

Response to Sean Cusino

Great analysis Sean, I think the phrase means that one can be calm but can act when things go astray. Roosevelt always negotiated for peacefully but he also threatened to use military action. I like your example of the Venezuelan affair. Roosevelt guaranteed that the debt owed by the Latin Americans would have to be covered by America. He did not result to military action rather he was soft. While negotiating the terms, his military force was at the vicinity to attack if the Germans and the British did not comply with the agreement. Roosevelt resulted to peaceful negotiations before engaging in military action.

Response to Kristopher Kruger

Nice work Kristopher, I agree with you that the war to end all wars was not WWI trench warfare. It was in the delegations at the Treaty of Versailles. Wilson wanted to win the war but not claim the victory. His idea was that all parties end the war and feel that none of the party is the winner rather all parties have won. He advocated for the formation of the League of Nations to be the central hub of sorts for solving disputes and supervising arms reductions. Wilson’s main dream was for America to join the League of Nations but his medical condition prevented him from accomplishing this dream.

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