Spanish American War Turning Point

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To what extent was the Spanish-American War the turning point in American foreign policy? The Spanish American War, which occurred during the end of the 19th century, can be said to be a major turnover in American foreign policies. Before the war, America had adopted an isolationist policies during the Gilded age and also the Post-Civil War Era. However, with the Spanish American War, American was made more imperialistic and expasionistic through this war. Prior to the Spanish American War, America was isolated in its affairs, and did not intervene with global politics. America was preoccupied with their domestic issues themselves. After the Civil war, there was much controversy on how to rebuild the nation, as well as issues over the land of the Native Americans. Pretty much, Americans stayed out of foreign intervention since the War of 1812 when George Washington stressed the importance on non-alliance. After that, Americans focused on expansion within their lands, fulfilling what they called the Manifest Destiny, belief held by the white Americans that they had the right according to their superior race, and that it was their destiny to stretch from “sea to shining sea”. With the ‘clearing’ of Indians, they now…show more content…
Under the leadership of Taft, Roosevelt, and such as Wilson, America was becoming more open and more involved in the global politics and affairs. This can be accredited to the Spanish American War, especially contrasting the two different ideals that both the government and the public expressed from turning from domestic and isolationist to abroad and expansionist ideals. To this day, America is deeply involved with the global affairs, and consistently contributes to foreign policies, and is constantly involved, making it a greater power
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