The document summarizes the key reasons why the United States abandoned its policy of isolationism after the Spanish-American War and took on a more active international role. The main reasons included pressure from influential citizens and Congress to help Cuban independence, economic interests in expanding trade and markets abroad, and the influence of social Darwinism promoting imperialism. As a result of its increased global involvement, the US emerged as a world power with overseas territories and influence, but also faced criticism from opponents of imperialism.

1. REASONS AND THE CONSEQUENCES WHY THE UNITED STATES MOVED FROM
ISOLATION INTO AN INTERNATIONAL ROLE AFTER THE SPANISH AMERICAN
WAR
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2. 2
Introduction
Since the error of Spanish-American War until the current clash in the Middle East, the
international role of the United States has shifted greatly. For instance, it has abandoned the
relative isolation belief because of various reasons. Among the main reasons include; the
influence from the constitutionally powerful citizens, congress and presidential advisors; the
humanitarian need to eliminate misery among Cuban citizens; nationwide interest in economic
expansion and Social Darwinism. In addition, the increased involvement of the US in global
activities resulted in the strengthening of its Society. Other reasons include embracing imperialist
policies and enhancing its political and economic factors1
.
Reasons why the United States abandoned relative isolation policies and adapted an active
international role in global activities;
According to businesses and humanitarian leaders, the suffering of the Cuban people in
the hands of Spain needed international attention. Additionally, the United States civilians did
not comprehend the role of the United States in the foreign country.2
For instance, the civilians
did not have any information regarding yellow journalism. As a result, Newspaper experts
Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst took advantage of this chance to sell gripping daily
newspaper to the citizens. This newspaper had false information regarding how Cuban military
was slaughtering civilians as well as the desperation of the Cuban rebels. Some other false
information on the daily include the explosion of the United States Maine and the false events of
Evangelina, the18 year old, who tried to seek self-freedom from the Spanish soldiers3
.
1
Allan Dawley, Changing the world: American progressives in war and revolution (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton
University Press, 2003), 243.
2
Erick Nordlinger, Isolationism Reconfigured American Foreign Policy for a New Century (Princeton: Princeton
University Press, 2001), 128.
3
Martin, Folly, and Niall Palmer, Historical dictionary of U.S. diplomacy from World War I through World War II
(Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press, 2010), 321.

3. 3
The false information prompted many Americans, to be precise, widow of Ulysses S.
Grant, Julia Dent Grant, and the founder of American Red Cross, Clara Barton to be greatly
concerned about the Cuban people. The newspaper gave American citizens one-sided story about
the Cuban war of independence and also resulted in immense support from the American
people4
.
Pressure from the powerful U.S citizens, Congress, and presidential advisors influenced
President McKinley to take part in the war. However, the action was termed as the greatest
mistake in the U.S. history. This was attributed to the fact that it was the first time for the U.S to
put aside its anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist principles by capturing overseas colonies. Both
civilian and non-civilian populations were demanding for wars which were triggered by Yellow
journalism and other events. The need for economic and commercial expansion made policy
makers to consider a greater international involvement by the U.S government. They needed a
trade route in the oceans; because the only convenient route was through the pacific and Atlantic
oceans, via a small land called Panama. As a result, there was the Trans-Panama railroad
construction, which was started in 1848 and ended in 1855.5
Similarly, this period saw rivalry between the U.S and Britain which occurred because of
mutual interest in an alternative trade route through Nicaragua. The rivalry resulted in the
signing of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty of the 1850. The treaty aimed at assuring that both the U.S
and Britain had no power regarding the transoceanic pathways. As a consequence, the French
efforts to construct a canal in Panama in 1881 were not actualized and in 1889, the French gave
up the construction of the Panama Canal. In June 1902, the U.S senate decided to take charge of
4
Robert, Kagan, Present dangers: crisis and opportunity in American foreign and defense policy (San Francisco,
Calif: Encounter Books, 2000), 122.
5
Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, and Susan Butler, My dear Mr. Stalin: the complete correspondence between
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph V. Stalin (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005), 178.

4. 4
the canal, compelling its President, Roosevelt, to purchase the excavation and site equipment
from the French in 1904.
Following the canal construction, the U.S understood the significance of protecting
overseas resources. This intensified the United States international role as well as its foreign
policy signifying its quest for imperialism. In addition, there was the creation of political and
economic control overseas, which resulted in the nation extending its authority by acquiring
other territories. In 1890s, the U.S started its advances in Hawaii and invaded the islands in 1896.
In addition, it started implementing open door economic policies with China with the primary
objective of getting an international market for United States of America produced goods. The
policy also aimed at enhancing US participation in politics at a global level with other European
powers6
.
The farming activities in the newly opened land and the industrialization made the U.S
become a serious player in the global economy; thus it had to transform itself to become an
exporter rather an importer of capital. Equally, the urgency of protecting investments and trade
overseas was rising, and the advances in communications and technology continued to render the
oceans space less important. Thus, for the U.S. to adapt to the changes there was a dire need to
get involved in global social-economic activities. As a result, the U.S came up with a vigorous
foreign policy and also advanced its global participation. In 1884 for instance, the U.S.
participated in a conference in Berlin with a purpose of solving problems in Congo. At the same
time, it hosted the earliest pan-African meeting, the Washington meeting on Samoa among
others.7
6
Robert Tucker, Woodrow Wilson and the Great War: reconsidering America's neutrality 1914-1917
(Charlottesville, VA [etc.]: University of Virginia Press, 2007), 149.
7
Kerry Graves, The Spanish-American War (Mankato, Minn: Capstone Books, 2000), 203.

5. 5
The writings of Charles Darwin about the “survival for the fittest”, talks of social
Darwinism, which claim that society should be studied from a human perspective and that people
take advantage of others as a consequence of biological or genetic superiority. Therefore, the
application of Darwinism justifies the numerous differences between European and American
imperialistic activities of the 19th
century.
Consequences of adapting active role in international affairs to the American Society;
The Spanish-American war was triggered by a series of conflict between America and
Spain. The war commenced in 1898 April and ended in 1898 December after signing the Paris
Negotiations Treaty. As a result, Spain lost its power and its overseas empires, but ceded Puerto
Rico, Cuba Guam Island, the Philippines and some regions in the Spanish West Indies to the
United States. Philippines’ cession to the United States entailed the payment of twenty million
dollars to the Spanish empire by the United States. The Treaty resulted in a controversy in the
United States. For instance, individuals who were against imperialism labeled the United States
“hypocrite” for reproaching European colonies in the pursuit of their own interests. The intention
of Spanish-American War was not to seize Philippines, but to free Cuba. The criticism from anti-
imperialism increased when Emilio, Aguinaldo, the leader of Filipino rebels waged against
American colonies a three-year insurrection. However, the war resulted in soaring of the United
States national pride as well as its nationalism8
.
The involvement in international affairs also signaled the resurfacing of the United States
of America as a superpower. For instance, it gained enormous influence on matters of
international diplomacy and relations. It role in international affairs in-conjunction with its rapid
economic and industrialization growth enhanced its emergence as a great power. Its (the United
8
Phil Wadsworth, International history 1871-1945 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013), 385.

6. 6
States) involvement in international affairs helped it in successfully emerging from a century
characterized by Isolation and expanding its role in global affairs. Equally, the international role
was a clear demonstration of the U.S. shift towards imperialism. This shift was quite a surprise to
other colonies because it had greatly opposed the habits of European colonies. Some nations did
not welcome the interference by the United States in world affairs.
The U.S. international role also demonstrated that the late nineteenth-century
industrialization hade enhanced its emergence as a great power. Equally, the U.S. experience in
World War one significantly increased its position as a military, political, and economic
superpower in international affairs. Additionally, its role in international affairs served as a
lesson on the threats that characterized international commitments
Americans after the termination of the Spanish-American war began feeling empowered and
confident because they had acquired a key place in the global hierarchal system. For the initial
time, it was in a position to fulfill its interest and exercise authority on a global scale with the
primary objective of protecting itself. Nonetheless, United States after a few decades began
transforming its foreign policies9
.
After the First World War, the United States culture was characterized by violence,
racism, despair and confusion. The United States quietly terminated its open door policy by
introducing the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the 1924 Immigration Act. The latter act
restricted the annual immigration to the country. This was a clear indication of racial disparity in
the United States. For instance, 1915 foresaw the formation of Ku Klux Klan in Atlanta Georgia.
The clan expanded and became a social menace for people of color. The clan adopted a
contemporary recruitment system that was characterized by racial disparieties. Despite the
9
William Roosen, Daniel Defoe and diplomacy (Selinsgrove: Susquehanna University Press, 1986), 164.

7. 7
increasing racial disparities, the United States government responsibilities were increasing in the
international scene.
In conclusion, the 1920’s saw the expansion of the country’s private enterprises which
greatly enhanced foreign investment and export trade10
. By focusing on private interests, United
States government managed to take part in the world economy. As a matter of fact, a national
financial prosperity affected its security that consequently affected the influence it had on other
nations. As a consequence of economic prosperity, American felt and still continues to feel the
awakening impact. President Eisenhower referred this impact as military-industrial complex. The
period of awakening signified the commencement of an era of terrorism, hypocrisy, and
systematic oppression. This shift in ideologies was extremely dangerous for the nation that was
once founded on anti-colonial and anti-imperialist tendencies.
10
Michael Cox, and Doug Stokes, US foreign policy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), 524.

8. 8
Bibliography
Cox, Michael, and Doug Stokes. US foreign policy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.
Dawley, Alan. Changing the world: American progressives in war and revolution. Princeton,
N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2003.

9. 9
Folly, Martin, and Niall Palmer. Historical dictionary of U.S. diplomacy from World War I
through World War II. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
Graves, Kerry. The Spanish-American War. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Books, 2000.
Kagan, Robert. Present dangers: crisis and opportunity in American foreign and defense policy.
San Francisco, Calif: Encounter Books, 2000.
Nordlinger, Eric. Isolationism Reconfigured American Foreign Policy for a New Century.
Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001.
Roosen, William. Daniel Defoe and diplomacy. Selinsgrove: Susquehanna University Press,
1986.
Roosevelt, Franklin, Joseph Stalin, and Susan Butler. My dear, Mr. Stalin: the complete
correspondence between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph V. Stalin. New Haven: Yale
University Press, 2005.
Tucker, Robert. Woodrow Wilson and the Great War: reconsidering America's neutrality 1914-
1917. Charlottesville, VA [etc.]: The University of Virginia Press, 2007.
Wadsworth, Phil. International history 1871-1945. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2013.

10. 9
Folly, Martin, and Niall Palmer. Historical dictionary of U.S. diplomacy from World War I
through World War II. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
Graves, Kerry. The Spanish-American War. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Books, 2000.
Kagan, Robert. Present dangers: crisis and opportunity in American foreign and defense policy.
San Francisco, Calif: Encounter Books, 2000.
Nordlinger, Eric. Isolationism Reconfigured American Foreign Policy for a New Century.
Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001.
Roosen, William. Daniel Defoe and diplomacy. Selinsgrove: Susquehanna University Press,
1986.
Roosevelt, Franklin, Joseph Stalin, and Susan Butler. My dear, Mr. Stalin: the complete
correspondence between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph V. Stalin. New Haven: Yale
University Press, 2005.
Tucker, Robert. Woodrow Wilson and the Great War: reconsidering America's neutrality 1914-
1917. Charlottesville, VA [etc.]: The University of Virginia Press, 2007.
Wadsworth, Phil. International history 1871-1945. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2013.