Instructions: Carefully Read The Following Question A 572206
Instructionscarefully Read The Following Question And Submit Your An
Carefully read the following question, and submit your answer based on your readings and understanding of the subject. Your answer should be at least a paragraph in length. Please proofread your submission--points will be deducted for sloppy work. How many overseas possessions that the United States acquired as a result of the Spanish-American War can you identify? Was this truly a world-wide "empire?" In what different ways did the U.S. deal with or administer these new lands?
Paper For Above instruction
The Spanish-American War of 1898 marked a turning point in U.S. history, as it resulted in the acquisition of several overseas territories, thereby establishing the United States as an emergent colonial power. The primary possessions acquired through this war included Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. These territories significantly expanded America's geographical reach beyond its continental borders. While some historians have debated whether these possessions constituted a true "empire," it is evident that the United States exerted varying degrees of control and influence over these lands, reflecting different administrative approaches.
Puerto Rico was immediately annexed and placed under U.S. military rule, later transitioning into civil government with a degree of local sovereignty. The island served as a strategic military and commercial outpost in the Caribbean, exemplifying a direct administrative approach tailored for economic and military interests. Guam, strategically located in the Pacific, was initially governed by military authority but was later administered as a U.S. territory, emphasizing military presence and strategic control. The Philippines presented a particularly complex case; after its annexation, the U.S. established a civil government but faced fierce resistance from Filipino insurgents fighting for independence. This resulted in a protracted conflict, indicative of a colonial approach that involved both military suppression and efforts to establish political institutions.
The ways in which the U.S. managed these territories varied, reflecting different colonial strategies. Some areas were governed directly as colonial territories, with appointed officials exercising control, while in others, steps were taken to introduce American-style institutions to prepare for eventual self-governance. This administrative diversity underscores the multifaceted nature of U.S. overseas policy following the Spanish-American War. Ultimately, these possessions, while limited in size compared to historic empires, signified a shift toward imperial ambitions and demonstrated the United States’ approach to exerting influence globally—either through direct control, strategic military presence, or political tutelage—thus establishing a new form of empire that was diverse in its administration but unified in its pursuit of U.S. strategic interests.
References
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- Hagedorn, B. (1997). The Filipino Americans. In R. J. Ralston & N. A. Upthegrove (Eds.), American foreign policy and the Philippines. University of California Press.
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