Spanish American War Research Paper

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The Spanish- American War was a brief one-sided war that resulted in the United States granting Cuba independence from Spain while declaring itself a military giant to the rest of the world.
In 1894, Cuba was a Spanish colony. The United States had investments and businessmen in Cuba. The Wilson-Gorman Tariff, put restrictions on sugar imports to the United States and Cuban’s economy couldn’t survive the restrictions on sugar imports. Cuba began to rebel against Spanish rule, and Spain sent General “Butcher” Weyler to control the revolt of the Cuban citizens. His answer was to put the citizens in concentration camps.
Realizing that the United States had to protect its own interest, they sent a battleship, USS Maine on a “friendly” mission …show more content…

The United States received possession of Puerto Rico, Philippines, and Cuba. The United States was able to purchase the Philippines for $20,000,000. The US helped Cuba rebuild and restore order. They also helped Cuba form a republican government. America also made it her goal to rid Cuba of yellow fever, which caused more death to the Cuban’s than the war.
The Platt Amendment was given to the Cubans after the war ended. This amendment gave the US military the right to protect its own interest in the event of uprisings in Cuba. Therefore, the United States maintained a naval base in Cuba.
The Spanish- American War only lasted four months. The United States of America became victorious. Their international involvement became monumental in making them a super power. Just a few months before the war the US had settled into being concerned with domestic matters, it’s military slowly shrinking. After the war its imperialistic reach became great. There was no question of its power or significance in the world. The United States didn’t need the war to make it great, but it sure helped announce to the rest of the world it’s greatness and

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