1898: The Birth of a Superpower - Short History - Department History
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1898: The Birth of a Superpower
The global equilibrium, which had allowed the United States to grow and prosper in virtual isolation since 1815 was gone forever as the result of a short but shattering war. In 1898, U.S. domestic support for the independence of Cuba enmeshed the United States in a struggle with Spain over the fate of the island nation. The decision to aid the Cuban resistance was a major departure from the traditional American practice of liberal nationalism, and the results of that decision had far-reaching consequences. The 1898 Treaty of Paris ending the war gave Cuba its independence and also ceded important Spanish possessions to the United States—notably Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and the small island of Guam. The United States was suddenly a colonial power with overseas dependencies.
Photograph of American Soliders in Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War
This assumption of colonial responsibilities reflected not only the temporary enthusiasms of 1898 but also marked a profound change in the diplomatic posture of the United States. The foreign policies of the early 19th century had less relevance at the dawn of the 20th century because the nation had changed. The United States had almost all the attributes of a great power—it stood ahead or nearly ahead of almost all other countries in terms of population, geographic size and location on two oceans, economic resources, and military potential.
Foreign policy had to change to meet these new circ*mstances. President William McKinley drew attention to the new situation in the instructions he gave to the delegation of American statesmen who negotiated the Treaty of Paris. “We cannot be unmindful that without any desire or design on our part the war has brought us new duties and responsibilities which we must meet and discharge as becomes a great nation on whose growth and career from the beginning the Ruler of Nations has plainly written the high command and pledge of civilization.”
Another contemporary observer, George L. Rives, extended this interpretation. “Whether we like it or not,” he wrote, “it is plain that the country is now entering into a period in its history in which it will necessarily be brought into far closer and more complex relations with all the other great Powers of the world,” an outcome that would leave established foreign policy outmoded. “We shall now and henceforth be looked upon as having cast aside our traditional attitude of isolation.”
Certainly! The article you provided discusses the pivotal year of 1898 when the United States transitioned into a global superpower due to its involvement in the Spanish-American War. This war not only marked a significant departure from the nation's traditional stance but also resulted in far-reaching consequences that reshaped American foreign policy and its global standing.
Let's break down the concepts and key points highlighted in the article:
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Spanish-American War (1898): This conflict arose primarily due to U.S. support for Cuban independence from Spain. The war resulted in the Treaty of Paris, which granted Cuba its independence and ceded territories like Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam to the United States.
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Shift in American Foreign Policy: The decision to engage in the Spanish-American War signified a departure from the nation's historical policy of isolationism. It marked a shift towards interventionism and a more assertive role in global affairs.
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Colonial Responsibilities: Acquiring territories like Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam made the United States a colonial power. This move towards imperialism brought forth new duties and responsibilities for the nation.
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Impact on Diplomacy: The change in circ*mstances, including increased population, vast geographic size, economic resources, and military potential, necessitated a shift in U.S. foreign policy to align with its new status as a major global power.
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President William McKinley's Role: McKinley acknowledged the new responsibilities arising from the war and highlighted the obligation of the United States to meet these responsibilities as a burgeoning great nation.
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Observers' Perspectives: Historical figures such as George L. Rives noted that the United States was entering a phase where it would have more intricate relations with other major global powers, rendering traditional isolationist policies obsolete.
This era serves as a turning point in American history, signifying the beginning of the nation's emergence as a significant global player and setting the stage for its involvement in international affairs. The shift from isolationism to increased global engagement had profound implications for American foreign relations, diplomacy, and its role on the world stage.
