...The Latin American wars of independence were notably conducive to the decline of the Spanish Empire however, the decline can not be attributed singularly to the Latin American wars of Independence as there were other subsidiary factors involved. The Latin American wars of independence were a series of revolutions within South America causing Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Haiti and Columbia to become independent countries. These wars drained the Spanish Empire’s resources, enforcing its decline in the early 19th century. Prior to the wars of independence, poor economic conditions, the destruction of the Spanish Armada, as well as an imperialistic overstretch between territories, resulted in contributing to the downfall of the Spanish Empire. Colonial mismanagement in the Spanish Empire acted as a precluding catalyst in causing the Latin American wars of Independence, thus contributing to the fall of the Spanish Empire. The Latin American wars of Independence, whilst an influential factor in the decline of the Spanish Empire, were not the sole determinant in causing the downfall of the Spanish Empire. The Latin American wars of independence contributed to the fall of the Spanish Empire to a considerable extent, being the final element amongst other collective factors which ultimately resulted in the collapse of the Spanish Empire. During the 17th century, there were many indications of Spain’s erosion of power; the collapse of the empire...
Words: 1543 - Pages: 7
...The War of 1898, also known as the Spanish-American War, was sparked on April 25, 1898. Three causes of this war were the United States support for Cuba's independence, yellow journalism, to protect U.S. business interests in Cuba, and the sinking of the USS. Maine. These all helped spark the war that would give Cuba its independence when the war would conclude. The United States supported the fight with Cubans for their independence from the Spanish. Cuban revolts all started with the Wilson-Gorman Tariff of 1894. This American tariff put restrictions on sugar imports to the United States that severely hurt the economy of Cuba because they were based on producing and selling sugar. Spain sent in General "Butcher" Weyler to stabilize the situation...
Words: 450 - Pages: 2
...The Sinking of the Maine 1. In 25 words or less, identify the event – date, place, and importance. On February 15, 1898, the U.S. Battleship Maine sank in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. This event kindled the war between Spain and America. 2. What long-range causes led to the event? Signed by President Monroe in 1823, the Monroe Doctrine “held that the New World would no longer be a target for colonization” (Dent 12). Spain would not acknowledge the signed Doctrine and comply with its writings. Years later in 1873, a freighter flying the American flag and captained by an American, Joseph Fry, was caught by a Spanish gunboat for smuggling arms to the Cuban rebels. Fry, along with the other two hundred and seven men, were found guilty of piracy. Five days later, he and fifty two of the crew were executed by a firing squad. In addition, some of the now deceased men were decapitated and put on pikes for public display. American citizens were outraged by the brutality of the Spanish people and wanted revenge but the country was still recovering from the losses incurred during the American Civil War and at the time did not have the Navy ships required for war. Furthermore, Presidents Cleveland and McKinley shied away from any major conflict with Spain. 3. What immediate causes led to the event? Prior to the sinking of the battleship Maine, the island of Cuba was in a revolution against their highly oppressive rulers from Spain, which at that time claimed Cuba as a province, for their...
Words: 1533 - Pages: 7
...| The Spanish American War | | | Juan Jimenez | 12/1/2012 | Historia de Puerto Rico | The Spanish American War was fought in 1898 between the United States and Spain. Spain was a colonial power at the time, holding many territories in the Caribbean and Pacific. Revolts against Spanish rule were taking place in many of these territories. In Cuba and in the Philippines, the seeds of revolution were steadily growing. The United States found themselves in a position to assist these people with their fight for independence and to gain some land and power in both the Caribbean and the Pacific. It has long been thought that the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor was the catalyst that propelled the US into war with Cuba. I have found evidence that the US entered into war for a different reason. My research has led me to believe that the spread of disease, especially yellow fever, from Cuba into the US was the true reason for the American declaration of war against Spain. The sinking of the Maine has historically been accepted to be the cause of the US entering into war. It can be argued that it was, but, was the sinking really caused by the Spanish? There is no conclusive evidence that it was or was not. The Maine was sent to Havana Harbor in January of 1898. The ship, along with other US military vessels, was used to help blockade the port. This would keep the Spanish fleet from replenishing supplies and weapons to quell the...
Words: 1015 - Pages: 5
...In 19th century, the essential feature of the American foreign policy were trying to avoid the conflicts with European powers and applied itself for territorial expansion. But the Spanish-American War which took place in 1898, was the United States first time broke the geographic boundaries and began to set a goal as one of the most powerful countries in the world in 20th century. From isolationism to expansionism, the Spanish-American War led America into the modern era, the war was a symbol that the United States was rising power. The Spanish-American War was a war which launched in order to despoil the Spanish colonies. At that time, the Philippines not only had the important economic value, but also was the strategic base of America, so it was necessary to occupy the Philippines. On February 15th, the American vessel the Maine sunk in Havana harbor, and the United States seized the chance as an excuse, began to take military actions to declare war to Spain. There are many reasons to explain why the United States won this war, and many people consider that the main reason of it is because the huge strength disparity between the United States and Spain. “Spain was even less ready for war than the United States.”(ushistory.org). That’s true, the burgeoning America had strong economic and military potential, and it had built a powerful navy. At the same time Spain had declined, and it was isolated in the National position, also. Especially the Cubans and the Filipinos armed themselves...
Words: 725 - Pages: 3
...justified. I believe it was necessary to maintain Democracy and freedom throughout the world, as well as protect the American people. As we all know, during this time period, there were two major wars, both were a serious threat to the United States and its people. The Spanish-American War began with the Spanish mercilessly crushing the Cuban people who were trying to start a revolution in 1895. Many U.S. newspapers graphically portrayed how the Spanish ruthlessly halted the Cuban revolution. This caused many citizens of the U.S. to sympathize with the Cubans and the demand for intervention rose. The demand for intervention would continue until the USS Maine exploded...
Words: 1117 - Pages: 5
...1a. The Spanish scholar, Juan Gines de Sepulveda justifies the Spanish conquest and rule over the Native Americans because they are superior. He claims that Spanish Catholics are like adults compared to the religions of the American Indians. Sepulveda argues that they have the right to rule over them because they are savages without any humanity or self control, unlike the religious, merciful, and civilized. The Spanish saw it as their duty and right to rule over the primitive Indians. 1b.As a result of believing their religious superiority, the Spanish implemented the encomienda system. The encomienda system was a design for creating large plantations that would be worked by American Indian slaves. The slaves were provided to citizens who...
Words: 890 - Pages: 4
...The Opposition to the War The Spanish-American war had two sides to the conflict. The side that was mostly publicize by the media was how important the war was to our country and how we supported Cuba and the Philippines. The opposing side of the war was shadowed by harsh media coverage of supporters for the war. Many people are unaware that there was an organization officially against Imperialism. In this organization there were many known figures who had voiced their opinions on expansion. Opposition of the Spanish-American War was rarely heard of due to the overpowering reactions to yellow journalism. Yellow journalism was the expression used for reporters who would travel to Cuba and write false articles of the events that were taking...
Words: 486 - Pages: 2
...When the American fathers of the Declaration of Independence, they made it their purpose that they would stay isolated from the world, so that they could focus on their nation and make it stronger. At the time, America would have needed a lot of attention to become the superpower it is today, however in the late 1890’s the American soldiers and political leaders broke the foreign policy by taking over the Philippines. Even though the men who spoke of the ceded Philippine, they had different messages through their tone. The first Spaniard to set foot on the Philippines was Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, however the actual invasion did not begin until 1564. Spanish power in the Philippines soon started to fall as other nations were starting to practice their spread of power in the mid 1700s. When the U.S.S Maine sunk in an American attempt to relieve the tension between Cuba and Spain exploded, the U.S. declared war on Spain and won a naval battle against them in Manila Bay, May 1, 1898. By the time U.S. got to the Philippines, the Filipinos has already declared their independence from Spain. However, their celebration did not last long when the Treaty of Paris 1898 transferred the Philippines to under the U.S.’s power. Wesley Merritt, William Mckinley, and Otis all had the same message to the Filipinos. Everyone pretty much said the same thing, but at the different times, to remind the Filipinos that the Americans were not their enemy. However, when Merritt made the first announcement...
Words: 852 - Pages: 4
..."The Spanish-American War of 1898 transformed the United States into a major overseas power" (Schultz, 2014). The major reasons for the Spanish-American War of 1898 were for a variety of humanitarian, geopolitical, and commercial causes. The Cubans strived for independence from the harsh treatment by the Spanish and in 1895, violence erupted, provoking an interracial rebellion between the Cubans and the Spanish government. The three-year-long war devastated the Cuban economy, which had impacted the Americans that were heavily invested in the Cuban sugar plantations. Despite the lack of support from the Cubans for the U.S. to enter the war, it became inevitable in February of 1898 after the U.S. intercepted a letter from Spain's U.S. Ambassador...
Words: 327 - Pages: 2
...what led up to Cuba’s independence from Spain at the end of the Spanish American War. One thing that you will notice is there was no single person or movement that led the charge to independence, but a mix of people from all walks of Cuban life. We will also see that Spain made some of the same mistakes that Great Brittan had had with the United States, helping to push the Cubans to want change. Let us start with a little bit of history leading up to the major moves to independence. As early as 1790 the idea of independence was popular in Cuba, with the first attempt at revolution taking place in 1791, led by José Antonio Aponte....
Words: 1711 - Pages: 7
...contributed to our rich culture and to explain the importance of the Spanish, and by extension, Hispanic role in the history of the United States. George Washington himself recognized the Spanish contribution when he wrote to King Carlos III of Spain after the War of Independence to thank him for the aid he had received from Spain during the fight for freedom. Washington was well aware that the Spanish Crown held a vast amount of territory throughout the Americas, from Patagonia to Alaska, and that the Spanish had been present in the New World for centuries. Washington understood that not only had Spanish explorers and missionaries shed their blood and made great sacrifices during those years, but that Spain had also contributed money and manpower to the American Revolution. The revolt against the British Crown was possible thanks, in part, to the funds sent by Spain and the participation of the Spanish in the New World. There were Spanish settlements from Mexico to Alaska, including many in what are today the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, to name just a few. Spain clandestinely helped the colonists until war was formally declared on England in June, 1779. This aid began before the promulgation of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Spanish Count of Aranda met with Benjamin Franklin, Silas Dean and Arthur Lee at the Continental Congress and gave his total support to the colonialists’ cause. Spain then made use of its territories in...
Words: 913 - Pages: 4
...The French and Spanish support given to the American rebels during the war was significant and a major reason for overall victory for the Americans. France had a lot at stake when it chose to support the American rebels and interjected itself after the American victory in 1777 at Saratoga. The radical French assistance, demonstrated that the Americans did have a good chance to win their independence. The American ambassador to France, Benjamin Franklin secured an alliance which garnered military supplies and financial support. France was keeping the British occupied in a sort of proxy war in the West Indies, it was a struggle for the control of the Caribbean. The effort by the French was sufficient enough to keep the British ground and naval assets from providing their full support to the conflict with...
Words: 481 - Pages: 2
...first disputes that caused the Spanish-American War involved the number one world power and the rising nation. There were three incidents that acted as a gateway in America’s role in Latin America; one major incident, out of three,...
Words: 959 - Pages: 4
...University of Phoenix Material American Imperialism Part 1 Complete the chart by identifying the following: • Identify the countries or areas where the United States engaged in imperialistic actions during the period from about 1870 to 1914. • Discuss why each area was important to American empire building (political, economic, and social). • Explain America’s expansionist ideals. What were some of the factors that justified American imperialist actions? • Identify the current political status of these places in relation to the United States. Age of Imperialism: 1870 to 1914 Place Why was there interest? U.S. actions Status today Hawaii America regarded the Hawaiian Island as an extension of the Pacific Coast. The white sugar planters sought annexation, so that the Queer's polices and the tariff from the U.S. Would be changed. The actions taken were by a small minority of white sugar planters revolted in 1893 with American troops assistants. The first attempt for annexation was passed, Cleveland took office and then refused to sign the bill. Hawaii is the 50th state of the U.S. Documents were signed 1960, and a flag ordered. There is some questions regarding the truth behind Hawaii becoming a nation under the United States of America. Sugar is still the largest products the trade. Alaska The main interested of America “Manifest Destiny” they were expanding it's control across the continent. Alaska was a good souse of natural resources...
Words: 2238 - Pages: 9
