The Spanish-American War and Imperialism

Q5-How did the Spanish-the Statesn War turn into a contend of empurpled expansion? Shawn Lannin 2/26/2013 The Spanish-American War originally started off as The United States cheering Cuba from its Spanish rulers essentially, but quickly evolved into colonial expansion. The war became a war of imperial expansion in the late 1800s due to Americas new outward focuses on global markets and growing c at oncerns of economic competition/expansion from otherwise world powers. America, once a colony itself was now looking to expand its influence into other parts of the globe as its European cousins had been doing for quite some time.Before, during, and aft(prenominal) the war Americans had growing concerns about the Pacific and East Asia. These foreign markets have vast amounts of natural resources and fertile comes for the taking many expansionists had differing reasons for imperialistic expansion. some(prenominal) argued religious purposes, some the spread of the White-Anglo-Saxon race, (White Mans Burden) while others stressed economic and multitude reasons to expand abroad. Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval strategist, believed in a voiceless navy and that America should turn its focus outward and expand its influences into the world.Mahan in like manner urged the acquisition of Pacific islands for military and naval superiority. Islands such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, The Philippines, and Guam short became targets of Americas imperialistic aim. These islands could be used strategically to protect merchant fleets in route from Asia and likewise for military and economic purposes, for lawsuit the natural harbor found in Hawaiis garner Harbor served as a great naval base and served as a stepping-stone to Asia, while the fertile volcanic soils were perfect for sugar plantations.Expansionists also sought to protect their clientele rights and foreign policies such as The opened Door Policy, which gave free trade rights in East Asian markets. mainland C hina was in turmoil at the time and other world powers were exhibiting land grabs while trying to carve out spheres of influence to control trade in Chinese markets. Expansion in the Pacific would not scarcely secure our rights to trade but would protect our interests over seas as well.Nations across the world were colonizing weaker countries through the concept of Social Darwinism and America didnt inadequacy to fall by the way side so to speak. We had to keep up with the world powers and protect our best interest. It was a time of empires and after decades of isolationism, America decided it was time to show the world our power. By 1898 America had thwarted Spain and with its defeat came the annexation of several island nations that we used to our benefit for years to come.