USA HISTORY

The MOST important result of the Spanish American War was that it

(A) Spread democracy to Latin America

(B) Secured a safe source of raw materials for US industry

(C) Guaranteed the independence of Mexico from Spanish control

(D) ** Set up a colonial empire for the US and set the US on the road to empire

Concept note-1: -U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to relinquish claims on Cuba, and to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States.

Concept note-2: -Many agree that the main causes of the Spanish–American War was Cuba’s struggle for independence and the sinking of the USS Maine on 15 February 1898. An explosion, then thought to be caused by a mine, killed over 260 of the 354 American crew members.

Concept note-3: -Closely tied with becoming a world naval power, the Spanish American War resulted in the U.S. becoming worldwide economic power, able to extend its commercial reach while under naval protection. This was very closely tied to item#1, above. Prior to the war, the U.S. had no commercial fleet of which to speak.

Concept note-4: -The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain that effectively ended Spain’s role as a colonial power in the New World. The United States emerged from the war as a world power with significant territorial claims stretching from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia.