APUSH Essays
Analyze the responses to TWO of the following to Secretary of State John Hay’s view that the Spanish American War was “a splendid little war”; William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, Alfred Thayer Mahan, Emilio Aguinaldo
When Secretary of State John Hay stated that the Spanish American War was a “splendid little war”, he received mixed responses from people such as William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, Alfred Thayer Mahan, and Emilio Aguinaldo. Some people of the Philippines, especially the nationalist leader Emilio Aguinaldo, disagreed with Hay’s statement. They were upset that they were first being denied independence from Spain, and now the United States of America. However, even having fought in the Spanish-American War alongside the Americans, Aguinaldo led bands of guerilla fighters against the U.S. It took three years, and numerous causalities to end the revolt. Theodore Roosevelt, on the other hand, saw potential in the lands controlled by Spain. He ordered a fleet to the Philippines. The American Fleet destroyed the Spanish Fleet. Contrary to the beliefs of Theodore Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan viciously attacked the idea of American imperialism. He believed that imperialism was wrong, and the United States should stay out of fighting wars for conquest. While many Americans too, questioned imperialism, they saw the new territory, including the Philippines, acquired during the war as an accomplishment. Last but not least, Alfred Thayer Mahan believed that a strong naval power would crucial if a country wanted to become the finest, economically and militarily. A strong military presence would open foreign markets which would lead the United States to become a world power. William Jennings Bryan vigorously attacked the growth of American Imperialism. One positive consequence of the Spanish American war was its effect on the way both Americans and Europeans thought about the United States as a formidable military power
When Secretary of State John Hay stated that the Spanish American War was a “splendid little war”, he received mixed responses from people such as William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, Alfred Thayer Mahan, and Emilio Aguinaldo. Some people of the Philippines, especially the nationalist leader Emilio Aguinaldo, disagreed with Hay’s statement. They were upset that they were first being denied independence from Spain, and now the United States of America. However, even having fought in the Spanish-American War alongside the Americans, Aguinaldo led bands of guerilla fighters against the U.S. It took three years, and numerous causalities to end the revolt. Theodore Roosevelt, on the other hand, saw potential in the lands controlled by Spain. He ordered a fleet to the Philippines. The American Fleet destroyed the Spanish Fleet. Contrary to the beliefs of Theodore Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan viciously attacked the idea of American imperialism. He believed that imperialism was wrong, and the United States should stay out of fighting wars for conquest. While many Americans too, questioned imperialism, they saw the new territory, including the Philippines, acquired during the war as an accomplishment. Last but not least, Alfred Thayer Mahan believed that a strong naval power would crucial if a country wanted to become the finest, economically and militarily. A strong military presence would open foreign markets which would lead the United States to become a world power. William Jennings Bryan vigorously attacked the growth of American Imperialism. One positive consequence of the Spanish American war was its effect on the way both Americans and Europeans thought about the United States as a formidable military power