Positive Effects Of The Spanish American War

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Called the “Merry Little War” in textbooks, The Spanish-American War was a war that although had relatively few casualties, led the United States into a political trend that was significant in the late nineteenth century and is still visible to this day both socially and politically. The Spanish-American War had an immense effect socially and politically in late nineteenth century America through the bonding of America as a country, the beginning of America as a world power, and the establishment of America’s role as intimidator. One positive effect of the Spanish-American War was the bonding of America as a country. The American people were bored and desirous for something exciting, at the time war was glorified because the veterans of the …show more content…

The Spanish-American war was only America’s second foreign war and with the thrill of winning against Spain so easily and relatively painlessly came the desire to go out and conquer more territories. Many of the men that stayed behind in the United States were disappointed that they hadn’t had the chance to face the Spanish (McCaffrey 177) and half of the men that went to Cuba hadn’t even been part of any major battles (Adams 244). Between the citizens desire for a more gruesome and dramatic war and the government’s new found lust for power and territories, war was inevitable. Coming from the haze of power that seeing the words “Unable to Resist” from Spain in response to America’s proposal (Eye Witnesses 225) the United States decided that they were somewhat of a mediator in the world and it was their responsibility to “civilize” new countries and bring them up to standard; this was not something that these countries were desirous of and the United States then began their role as intimidator in order to maintain their influence in these countries. Hardly six months after the end of the Spanish-American war, the United States began a significantly more lengthy and much bloodier war--The Philippine-American War--with their newly bought territory from Spain, the republic of the

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