The Spanish American War

In 1898, the United States launched a war with Spain in order to rest control of the Philippines, Cuba, Guam and Puerto away from her. Seemingly they promised to deliver the same level of democracy and freedom to these nations as they themselves has attained in their conflict with Great Britain a century prior.

The US and its charges were victorious in the war, successfully driving the Spanish back to their Iberian homeland despite the horrible losses experienced by the natives and the millions of American dollars spent pursuing the war. However once the smoke cleared it seemed as though the peoples of these countries had traded Spain’s shackles for America’s. Within a few years after the war ended the United States attempted to secure the powers and interests they won in them.

In Cuba, the Platt Amendment gave US power and land that we use today to house Guantanamo. In the Philippines, the native population revolted against their supposed liberators and started a long a bloody war that would not be settled for a decade. In all cases the US established economic influence over these countries and either directly or indirectly crippled these nations’ ability to reach the level of the frst world in economic prominence. Many point to the Spanish American War as America’s first attempt at imperialism and the beginning of our doctrine to globalize the “American Way” of life without though to the possible effects it may have on those who are exposed to it.