Seizing an American Empire - Essay Example

The book America: A Narrative History is one of the most important books in the modern world that has a well-documented history of the United States. Chapter 22 of this book talks about several aspects of American history.

The war against Spain in 1898 started to help the Cuban people gain their independence from the Spanish. It was a war that started with the pretense of helping the Cubans but later turned into an opportunity to annex more territories. The Cubans started their liberation struggle in 1895 when they waged a rebellion against their masters. The media played a crucial role in reporting all events prompting the American government to join in the war in 1898.

The U.S. Navy's blocking of the Spanish fleet in Santiago Harbor signaled the beginning of the war. With troops numbering over 17,000, Spain was quickly defeated. Spain was forced to relinquish other colonies such as the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The impact of the war was that the US was now seen as a significant imperial power in the world. The US would then annex other areas in the Pacific mainly the Philippines, Samoa, Hawaii, Guam, and Wake Islands. Read More