Why the Spanish American War Mattered

 

What was the importance of the Spanish-American War, America’s shortest and most popular conflict? It was fought for the wrong reasons, supported by a few influential national leaders, and relied on propaganda to incite average Americans into war. But as the events of 1898 drew to a close, the United States found itself in possession of an overseas empire which caused future state policy to devote more energy and resources toward constructing a global presence and influence.

 

How Imperialistic was America after the Spanish American War?

 

Americans would be slow in exploiting the notions of “empire.” There were still too many leading politicians and intellectuals unwilling to accept an Imperial United States. Although organizations like the Anti-Imperialist League stoked the national conscience, most Americans were willing to accept the burden of overseas responsibilities as a result of the war without losing focus on pressing domestic problems.

 

Teddy Roosevelt Promotes American Imperialism

 

President Theodore Roosevelt probably had the most acute sense of the American role in the beginning of the 20^th Century. Associated with the charge up San Juan Hill as second in command of the Rough Riders, he had been one of the leading imperialists – a member of John Hay’s “pleasant gang” favoring war with Spain.

 

Roosevelt went on to build the Panama Canal, institute the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, send the Atlantic Squadron to North Africa, and order America’s “Great White Fleet” around the world as a symbol of American strength and pride. This first spirit of internationalism was made possible by the Spanish American War.

 

The Spanish American War Unified Americans

 

Another important result of the Spanish American War was its impact on American unity. National divisions coming out of the Civil War which ended in 1865 remained long after. The dominant Republican Party also saw periodic schism as moderates fought for control of the party against the Stalwarts.

 

With the rise of the industrial nation, labor unions, populism, and immigration concerns divided Americans. The Spanish American War was an opportunity to bring Americans together in a common cause. Quoted by Howard Zinn, Theodore Roosevelt in 1897 stated “…I should welcome any war, for I think this country needs one.” In many ways, the Spanish American War reinvigorated Americans. In 1918, following World War I, Randolph Bourne would write that, “war is the health of the state.”

 

War Opponents were in the Minority in 1898

 

Although some Americans opposed the war, including President William McKinley, war fever overtook the nation in what has been called America’s most popular war. Subsequent imperialist policies, including the Philippine military occupation, were supported by most Americans, as seen in the results of the Election of 1900 during which the war and its aftermath became an issue.

 

The Spanish American War helped Change Directions for U.S. Foreign Policy

 

One result of the war was an expanded awareness of global affairs. Although the late 19^th Century missionary movement in countries like China had already educated Americans about other lands and cultures, the war positioned the United States as a viable competitor among European nations and Japan striving to build overseas empires and exploit natural resources.

 

As Senator Albert Beveridge stated, America was producing more than it could consume and needed export markets. The Spanish American War made it easier for America to insist on an Open Door trade policy in China while building on already established overseas ventures such as Samoa and Hawaii.

 

Importance of the First War to Acquire a Colonial Empire

 

The Spanish American War led to a robust spirit of imperialism. It allowed for expanded export trade opportunities. Additionally, the war brought Americans together in a common cause, even though the reasons resulted from yellow journalism and emotional response to the sinking of the USS Maine. The Spanish American War represented a first, major step in American internationalism. This would help to set long term patterns in the 20^th Century.

 

Sources:

 

Albert J. Beveridge, The Meaning of the Times and other Speeches (Books for the Libraries Press, 1908)

Ivan Musicant, Empire By Default: The Spanish-American War and the Dawn of the American Century (Henry Holt and Company, 1998)

G.J.A. O’Toole, The Spanish American War: An American Epic 1898 (W.W. Norton & Company, 1984)

James Ford Rhodes, The McKinley and Roosevelt Administrations 1897-1909 (The Macmillan Company, 1922)

William Roscoe Thayer, John Hay: American Statesmen Series Part 2 (Harper and Brothers, 1908)

Warren Zimmermann, First Great Triumph: How Five Americans Made Their Country a World Power (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2002)

Howard Zinn, A People’s History of the United States (available on-line)

Published in Suite101 June 14, 2010 M.Streich copyright