The United States Acquires New Lands
The United States Acquires New Lands examines how the Spanish-American War of 1898 transformed the United States from a continental nation into an imperial power—a major topic in 8th grade U.S. history. Victory over Spain gave the U.S. control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines in the Caribbean and Pacific, and the U.S. also annexed Hawaii in 1898. These acquisitions launched a fierce national debate between imperialists (who argued expansion was necessary for trade, national security, and civilizing missions) and anti-imperialists (who argued it violated American democratic principles to rule other peoples without their consent). The Philippines proved especially costly, as Filipinos launched a resistance war that lasted until 1902.
Key Concepts
After the Revolution, the United States grew piece by piece. In 1803, the country bought a huge area from France called the Louisiana Purchase , which doubled the nation's size. Soon after, the U.S. also gained Florida from Spain.
The country grew even more in the 1840s. The United States added a new state through the Texas Annexation in 1845. A year later, it settled a border dispute with Great Britain to gain the Oregon Country in the Northwest.
Common Questions
What new lands did the United States acquire around 1898?
In 1898, the U.S. acquired Hawaii (annexation), Puerto Rico and Guam (from Spain after the Spanish-American War), and the Philippines (purchased from Spain for $20 million). The U.S. also established a protectorate over Cuba. These acquisitions transformed the U.S. into a Pacific and Caribbean imperial power with territories far beyond the North American continent.
What caused the Spanish-American War?
The Spanish-American War (April-August 1898) had multiple causes: American sympathy for Cuban independence from Spain; yellow journalism by newspapers like Hearst's New York Journal inflaming public opinion; the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor (cause unknown, blamed on Spain); and economic interests in Cuba and markets in Asia. The war lasted only 10 weeks with decisive American victories.
Why did some Americans oppose imperialism?
The Anti-Imperialist League (1898), including Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, and former President Cleveland, argued that ruling other peoples without their consent violated the democratic principles in the Declaration of Independence. They also worried about the cost of maintaining distant colonies, the racial complications of absorbing non-white populations, and the dangers of entanglement in world politics.
What happened in the Philippines after the U.S. took control?
Filipino revolutionaries who had been fighting Spain for independence expected the same freedom from the U.S. When the U.S. chose to keep the Philippines as a colony, Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo launched a resistance war (1899-1902) that killed over 4,200 American soldiers and an estimated 200,000-600,000 Filipino civilians from combat, disease, and famine.
Why did the U.S. become imperialist in 1898?
Several factors drove American imperialism: Alfred Thayer Mahan's influential book arguing sea power required overseas bases; Social Darwinist ideology that stronger nations had a duty to civilize weaker ones; the closing of the American frontier in 1890 and need for new markets; and competition with European powers who were dividing the world among themselves.
When do 8th graders study American imperialism?
American imperialism and the Spanish-American War are covered in 8th grade history in the Progressive Era and America as a World Power unit (1890-1917), examining how the U.S. moved from isolationism to global power and what that transition meant for American democratic values.