Effects of the Spanish-American War American Imperialism

Quick Cost-Benefit Analysis Global power Asian trade U.S. gained Cuba, Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam Eased divisions, which existed in 1890’s America Nearly 6,000 dead -over 5,000 from disease Cuban and Filipino rebels resist U.S. conquest -Filipino Guerilla War lasted until 1902 (4,300 U.S. dead)

The U.S. won the “Splendid Little War” easily Results of The Spanish-American War The U.S. won the “Splendid Little War” easily and swiftly, yet the outcomes were significant, both for domestic and foreign policy: -U.S. became more like European nations -No longer a republic equal in all its parts -Created a psychological effect on many people

Anti-imperialist leader U.S. Became More Like European Nations The U.S. acquired Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, Wake Island, and Puerto Rico The additions drew angry protest from anti-imperialists McKinley needed to justify the new acquisitions Edward Atkinson, Anti-imperialist leader

McKinley’s Options Return the island to Spain Sell the islands to a European power Leave them to govern themselves Keep them for ourselves McKinley rejected #1-3 on moral grounds; he reasoned these options would lead to more upheaval and devastation

McKinley’s Moral Justification “There is nothing left for us to do but take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and to uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by God’s grace to do the very best we could by them as our fellow men for whom Christ also died.” -There were economic and strategic benefits involved, but McKinley down-played these justifications in favor of moral justification.

No Longer a Republic Of Equal Part The acquisition of “uncivilized” and “inferior” peoples brought change to the concept of equality for people living under the U.S. flag.

Anti-Imperialist League -William Jennings Bryan Although a popular war, many found the use of economic and military forces to conquer and control foreign nations morally reprehensible. Famous Members: -Edward Atkinson -Carl Shurtz -Benjamin Harrison -Grover Cleveland -William Jennings Bryan -Andrew Carnegie -Mark Twain

-Senator hoar, debate on Treaty of Paris (1898) “This Treaty will make us a vulgar, commonplace empire, controlling subject races and vassal states, in which one class must forever rule and other classes must forever obey.” -Senator hoar, debate on Treaty of Paris (1898)

The Insular Cases (1901-1904) The Supreme Court decided fourteen cases regarding the Constitutionality of imperial conquest -Is acquisition of territories by treaty legal? -Is a conquered land “foreign territory”? -Does the Bill of Rights apply to conquer peoples? The court, reflecting popular opinion, expanded the imperial powers of Congress

Created a Psychological Effect on Many People Two modes of thought dominated America -Fatalism: giving oneself over to fat -Optimism: hoping that things will change for the better It’s possible to possess both beliefs. Many Americans did.

Fatalism Many Americans believed it was not only our destiny, but duty, to expand its power This movement is best seen in the definition of manifest destiny -1840’s-50’s: No outside influence or foreign power could resist U.S. expansion -Post-1898: Not even Americans could stand in the way of America’s growing power and influence

Fatalism in Literature Fatalism was a dominant theme in the era’s literature, as well as political rhetoric -Jack London and Frank Norris (Octopus 1901) In such works, individuals are at the mercy of larger of forces “Men were mere nothings. Force only existed. Force that brought men into the world, force that crowded them out of it to make way for future generations.” -F. Norris, Octopus

Optimism Journalists and religious leaders stated progress was possible America’s easy victory in the Spanish-American War was further proof that God favored us

The Fusion of Fatalism and Optimism William Stead, a British journalist, best captured the American spirit in The Americanization of the World (1901) -Stead predicted the gradual Americanization of the world, especially the spread of American culture and thought -Stead stated the advance was inevitable, and European resistance was futile

William T. Stead on Americanization: “The advent of the United States of America as the greatest of the world’s powers is the greatest political, social, and commercial phenomenon of our times.” The actions and policies of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson would go a long way to advance Stead’s theory.