Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Spanish American War: Birth of a Superpower- video: part I
Many histories agree that the Spanish American War was a main turning point in turning the US into a competitive and recognized world power. It began with the alleged Spanish attack on the USS Maine killing over 250 US sailors. The US public was furious wanting answers. The war was started, the US with the advantage of a superior technologically advanced navy, battleships were equipped with modern cannons, rapid fire guns and were steam powered. The Spanish equipped with superior numbers familiar terrain and diseases such as yellow fever. The war was called the "splendid little war."
In the mid to late 1800s many in the US were eager for colonial expansion. Spain was almost bankrupted and its colonies, Cuba Philippines and Caribbean, all wanted Independence. This had the attention of the US as it was similar to the US's position before the American Revolution. There was a group in New York that organized and aided the Cuban's in getting weapons, food and tactics. At this time Cuba's economy was crumbling, the US had put a sugar tariff, decreasing the demand of Cubans main export. The Rebels were having a difficult time standing up for themselves against the Spanish army. The Spanish army would try to stop the rebels’ guerrilla warfare by destroying farmers crops, hoping there would be no food for the resistance, 400,000 people had ben killed or starved to death because of this. Spain was very protective over Cuba and was willing to fall into a civil war before giving it up.
When debating whether or not the US should get involved the topics came up that the US had a much smaller standing army, usually relying on men to volunteer during war times, had one sixth the amount of soldiers. However they did have much superior technology. The US also wanted the Cuba and the Caribbean islands as Naval Bases, believing that it was a vital part in becoming a world power.
The US government did not want war, and was leaning towards not getting involved until one unexpected event. In the night the USS Maine was sunk by an unexplained explosion killing two thirds of the crew. This caused an instant uproar in the public and newspapers. Even though it was a strong possibility that the explosion was due to an accident and was a common occurrence, popular newspapers were saying that the Spanish did it. Soon afterward a team of investigators concluded that in was likely a mine that caused the explosion and 50,000,000 dollars was given to the military.
The US demanded Spain to leave and give Cuba its Independence one last time, when Spain declined the US formed a blockage of battleships between Cuba and Spain, declaring Cuba under its protection.
Opinion: The US's growing industry, technology and political views were the main contributors to the decision to inter the war. The US was in the position to make a stand as a growing leader of the world. The US wanted to start to stand up for the rights of other cultures, like they had in the American Revolution and the rights for African Americans, spreading the beliefs of the founding fathers to the world.
In the steps to becoming a world power, gaining colonies is an important contributor. With more control around the world, comes more responsibility and influence in making world decisions. Also with military outpost there is more control. At that point although getting into the war was somewhat risky it was the best opportunity to gain more influence in world relations.
The last factor in the decision to start a war was the attitude of the American public. They were furious after the supposed sabotage of the USS Maine, that they pressured the government in their decision. I believe that they acted harshly and too quickly for the lack of evidence that supported the idea of sabotage. The idea to enter a war should not be based on public rumors that escalate to beliefs that will kill many Spanish soldiers.
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