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Reasons for expansion: political
Insular Cases (1901-04) used as justification-- after Spanish American War, concluded that US Executive Branch can do whatever it wants with conquered territory, and full constitutional rights do not automatically extend to all places under American control.
e.g. Puerto Rico
In competition w/ Great EU powers; GR spurs
Reasons for expansion: economic
Foreign trade increasingly important to US economy in late 19th century;
Overproduction/under-consumption;
Open Door Policy in Asia (Hays Open Door Notes)
Roosevelt Corollary: US will intervene in conflicts between European countries and Latin American countries to enforce legitimate claims of the European powers, rather than having the Europeans press their claims directly.
Reasons for expansion: social
America needed a "new frontier": Turner's Frontier Thesis (we need to expand because we have lost the US frontier).
Reasons for expansion: ideological
Manifest destiny: a notion held by 19th century Americans that the US was destined by God to rule the continent (Atlantic to Pacific).
Josiah Strong: expansion of Anglo-Saxon Christian civilization.
Social Darwinism: Earth belonged to strong/fit, stronger nations dominating weak ones as a part of "natural law".
Causes of Spanish American War
US looking to expand, heavy investments in sugar/tobacco
Desire to control Cuba (1895 Cuban rebellion-- Jose Marti leads Cuban revolution; Spanish General Weyler: reconcentration camps, villified in US papers.)
Yellow journalism/Hearst papers: media used to convey Cuba as helpless against vicious Spaniards (to gain support from US public)
Evangelina Cisneros: Hearst hires mercenaries to rescue from Cuban camp, sensationalized in NY media.
DeLome letter: Spanish ambassador writes to friend in Cuba about McKinley's weaknesses, how won't engage in war w/ Spain.. intercepted & published in Hearst's papers.
Immediate cause: USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana Harbor, Spain blamed in Hearst papers. Spain denies involvement, helps stranded sailors. Probably actually an accident, but ignites SpAm war.
Major events of Spanish American War
April 25: declaration of war b/n US & Spain
May 1: first battle b/n forces at Manila Bay
June 22: US troops land in Cuba
July 1: US forces win at Battle of San Juan Heights
Dec. 10: Treaty of Paris signed, ending war
Treaty of Paris (1898)
Agreement made Dec. 10, 1898 between the US and Spain that resulted in the Spanish Empire's surrendering control of Cuba and ceding Puerto Rico, parts of the Spanish West Indies, the island of Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.
Signaled the end of the Spanish Empire in the Americas and the Pacific Islands (see also the German–Spanish Treaty of 1899), and marked the beginning of the age of the United States as a world power.
Effects of Spanish American War
US annexes Puerto Rico, West Indies, Guam, Philippines.
American business tightened control of sugar plantations.
US becomes global/imperial empire (Philippines, Cuba).
Teller/Platt Amendments passed.
Teller Amendment (1898)
Placed a condition on the United States military's presence in Cuba. According to the clause, the U.S. could not annex Cuba but only leave "control of the island to its people." In short, the U.S. would help Cuba gain independence and then withdraw all its troops from the country.
Platt Amendment (1901)
Stipulated seven conditions for the withdrawal of United States troops remaining in Cuba at the end of the Spanish–American War, and an eighth condition that Cuba sign a treaty accepting these seven conditions. It defined the terms of Cuban–U.S. relations to essentially be an unequal one of U.S. dominance over Cuba.
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