Spanish-American Flashcards
Tipping point?
The sinking of the battleship Maine
What were the years?
1898
Spain’s response?
Spain leapt to appease the United States from entering into war
Contribute factors?
American property interests damaged
The sufferings of the Cuban people shocked our sensibilities
The Spanish minister in Washington wrote an indiscreet letter slighting president McKinley
A year of congressional elections
Warmongering section of the American press
Lack of competence US diplomacy?
Resolved national will?
Implications?
War without exhausting diplomatic measures
War contained punitive overtones
And what of the Philippines?
Adm. Dewey attacked and destroyed the Spanish fleet
“The reduction of Spanish Power in that quarter”
Result of Philippine attack?
US colonial responsibility
For the first time territories were acquired which were not expected to gain statehood at all at any time but rather to remain indefinitely in the status of colonial subordination
Paradigm shift in American expansionist Tactics?
Implications of Philippine takeover?
Origins of a Pacific posture
Questions over constitutionality Since the Filipinos would not become American citizens
What is the contingent necessity?
The argument that unless we took these territories somebody else would and that this would be still worse.
Discussion
Is this a violation of US political philosophy regarding the concept of social compact?
Can a republic have subjects?
What effect will this imperial policy have upon ourselves?
Should we beware of a paternalistic responsibility to anyone Unless absolutely necessary?
