American Experience: Spanish American War

A loyal person who wasn't ashamed to go fight in a war even with a high up government position. A very popular war figure.

The process of increasing US territory.

The notion that the US was a superior country and had the right to invade, conquer and occupy the North American continent and beyond.

$15 million for land and an additional $3.25 million for claims against Mexico.

The USA got nearly half of Mexico, including what is now considered California and Arizona for a considerable sum.

Because the country was at war (a house divided cannot stand).

Expansionism would spread American glory and prestige throughout the world.

Many Americans considered their duty to expand and spread their religion, namely Christianity, throughout the world.

We needed new economic markets. American businesses were making more than Americans could buy.

Seward's Folly was what critics called Secretary of State Seward's purchase of Alaska because to them it seemed like a waste of money. However Alaska paid for itself many times over in natural resources such as gold, oil and the seal and whale trade.

Cubans wanted independance from Spain and were being treated inhumanely for their protests. This increased the Humanitarian aspect of a war with Spain. Many Americans identified with Cubans after their own revolution.

The US gained Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

The Philippines were kept under US rule because they were "unfit to rule themselves". In other words, the US really wanted all the natural resources in the Philippines for themselves.

The USA was then seen as a great power equal to the powerful European nations such as England or Spain.