In the decades that followed the establishment of the Monroe Doctrine, the United States continued to grow its geographic borders and the tally of individuals within. Although in the modern world this may not be the case, growth, as previously mentioned, signaled new economic resources and enhanced militaristic power. With these changes, however, came a seemingly diverse pool of public opinion on matters regarding the conduct of US foreign policy.
In 1898, Cuba, an island roughly ninety miles south from the Florida keys, found itself in the midst of a struggle for independence. In understanding the domestic position it is important to note that in the years prior to the struggle, the United States, which expressed an interest in the Caribbean and attempted to purchase Cuba, chose to see through its doctrine of respecting existing European colonies while not tolerating any new efforts of expansion or repossession. In this framework, the US began monopolizing the Cuban sugar market to the extent that by 1894, nearly ninety percent of the islands total exports were to the US—this was a significant feat considering the fact that the Spanish crown held political authority over Cuba. In looking at the larger picture, one could see how shifting economic authority and subsequent imbalance in political authority would contribute to a struggle for independence. One would be led to believe that with such strong influence in Cuba, the United States would be inclined to fight on their behalf from early on; although revolts and war scares had occurred prior to 1898, nothing came of it until the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba.
The ensuing war ushered in a period of geopolitics which departed from the theme of isolationism which had dominated the nation for years. After three months of fighting, the United States and Spain signed the 1898 Treaty of Paris. The agreement gave Cuba its independence, and forced Spain to relinquish important Spanish possessions to the US including Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and the island of Guam. President William McKinley and the rest of the nation was now to confront the challenges of being a colonial power with overseas dependencies. In his address to the delegation of American statesmen who took part in the Treaty of Paris negotiations, President McKinley stated “we cannot be unmindful that without any desire or design on our part the war has brought us new duties and responsibilities which we must meet and discharge as the United States becomes a great nation on whose growth and career from the beginning the Ruler of Nations has plainly written the high command and pledge of civilization.”
In an interpretation of the statement, George Lockhart Rives, United States Assistant Secretary of State between 1887-1889, writes, “whether we like it or not, it is plain that the country is now entering into a period in its history in which it will necessarily be brought into far closer and more complex relations with all the other great Powers of the world. We shall now and henceforth be looked upon as having cast aside our traditional attitude of isolation.”
The International Review 