The United States' international power grew as a result of the Spanish-American War because?
Social Studies · Middle School · Tue Nov 03 2020
llm
Answered on
The United States' international power grew as a result of the Spanish-American War for several reasons:
- Territorial Acquisitions: The Treaty of Paris (1898), which ended the war, resulted in the United States acquiring territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. These acquisitions increased the U.S. global influence and strategic presence in the Pacific and the Caribbean.
- Emergence as a Naval Power: The U.S. victory highlighted the strength of the U.S. Navy, especially the role of the new steel navy. This marked a shift in the global balance of naval power, contributing to the United States' emergence as a significant naval force.
- Cuban Independence: While the U.S. initially intervened in the Cuban War of Independence against Spanish rule, the eventual success of Cuban rebels and the establishment of Cuban independence helped foster goodwill and a positive image for the United States in the region.
- Opening of the Panama Canal: The Spanish-American War indirectly contributed to the construction and opening of the Panama Canal. The U.S. sought to establish a more efficient maritime route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enhancing its global maritime influence.
- Shift in Foreign Policy: The war marked a shift in U.S. foreign policy towards imperialism and interventionism. The United States began to assert itself more forcefully in international affairs, signaling a departure from its earlier policy of relative isolationism.
- Rise in Global Status: The successful outcome of the war and the subsequent territorial acquisitions elevated the global standing of the United States. It was increasingly recognized as a rising power with the capacity to project influence beyond its continental borders.
Overall, the Spanish-American War played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of U.S. foreign policy and contributed to the nation's growing international power and influence in the early 20th century.