American Imperialism

The Spanish American War marked the emergence of the United States as a world power. This brief war lasted less than four months from April 25 to August 12, 1898. A number of factors contributed

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The United States in turn, paid Spain $20,000,000 for public property in the Philippine Islands. As a result of the war Spain ceded Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States.

Imperialism has proven both destructive and creative, for better or for worse, it has destroyed traditional institutions and ways of thinking and has replaced them with the habits and mentality of the Western world. The Panamanians had authorized Philippe Bunau-Varilla an official of the French Canal Company to negotiate the terms and sign the agreement.

The United States gained colonies on both sides of the Pacific including Hawaii. The total cost of the construction of the Canal was nearly $400 million dollars.

The United States had long been interested in a Central American canal to link its east and west coasts, expand trade and for military interest. The United States agreed to grant Panama’s independence and pay $10 million, plus an annual fee of $250,000 per year. The treaty also gave the United States the right to control the Canal Zone as if it were United States territory, and to annex more land if necessary for the Canal. In 1902 President Theodore Roosevelt decided on Panama over Nicaragua and negotiated a treaty with Columbia giving the United States permission for the canal project. On August 12, 1898 Congress took control and proclaimed Hawaii American territory, and issued the open door policy, which were messages that president John Hay sent to Germany, France, Russia, Britain, Italy and Japan asking the countries not to interfere with the United States trading rights in China.

On August 15, 1914 the Canal opened for business. Control of the Panama Canal enhanced the power of the United States, however the way the canal was built damaged United States-Latin American relations. to the United States decision to go to war against Spain.

Common topics in this essay:
American War, , Canal United, States-Latin American, Panama Nicaragua, Central American, Canal Company, Hawaii American, Panama Canal, Italy Japan, august 12, 12 1898, august 12 1898, war spain, american imperialism,

Approximate Word count = 423
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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