The Spanish-American War

1. How was the United States connected to Cuba in the 1890s?
In the 1890s, many in the U.S. were eager to gain control of Cuba because it seemed only logical, considering it was 90 miles off the southern tip of Florida. The United States was very involved in the Cuban sugar economy, and funded the majority of it. In this way, U.S. involvement and connections in Cuba greatly benefited both the Cuban and U.S. economies. There were also Cuban immigrants in America, some of which smuggled weapons into Cuba during the first Cuban rebellion against Spain, so there were also racial connections between the U.S. and Cuba. These existing economical and social connections between American and Cuba fueled the U.S. desire to overcome Cuba, therefore extending U.S. political power.
2. What were the main reasons the United States intervened in Cuba? (i.e. went to war) Which reason do you believe was most important? Explain your answer. 
The main reasons the United States intervened in Cuba were: widespread sympathy and understanding for the people of Cuba who were rebelling against an oppressive power such as Spain, the intervention in Cuba could possibly open up benefits for the U.S. to gain trade ports and some control in Cuba and other Spanish territories, resumed peace in Cuba would mean revival of U.S. and Cuban economies, an insult towards President McKinley by a Spanish ambassador, and the destruction of the U.S. warship, the Maine. I believe the most important reason the United States intervened in Cuba was in order to for the U.S. to possibly gain more benefits such as new trade ports and some control in Cuba and other Spanish territories. This is the most important reason because of the fact that it would increase U.S. power and appealed to the American thirst for expansion at the time. Control over Cuba and other territories such as Puerto Rico would greatly benefit the U.S. economy, since they would increase U.S. trade with Asia and add more to the economy as a whole. Considering this reason and the others, going to war and intervening in Cuba didn't seem as if it would result in any hugely negative effects for the United States. 
3. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
African-Americans at the time of the Spanish-American War were still facing much discrimination. The Spanish-American War provided a way for them to prove themselves worthy as equal citizens. They hoped to gain more respect and begin to rid of that discrimination. African-American troops ended up being elite, and had lower rates of desertion and disobedience than other troops; it seemed their desire to raise their social status was evident in such results. Also, military service was one of the few choices African-Americans actually had to move forward in society, so this war was an ample opportunity. 
4. How did racial attitudes at the turn of the century shape American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines?
Because of racial attitudes at the turn of the century, Americans thought the inhabitants of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines incapable of forming their own stable democracies. Americans didn't think much of these inhabitants, and they even worried that annexing the islands into the U.S. could possibly hurt the American political system.  These low views of the native island people, which stemmed from prior racism to Asian-Americans, African-Americans, and Native Americans, caused the U.S. to think them also incapable of the same level of intelligence and moral that apparently laid within the U.S. political system. That's why when Spain surrendered, the Cubans were not involved in the following conferences, because Americans thought, due to their race, they needed help in managing all their affairs. Also, many Americans saw Filipinos portrayed with similar features to African-Americans in political cartoons and the such, thus the African-American community widely supported their revolt, but white Americans didn't seem to care that much. Unfortunately, racism did manage to sneak its way into the views of America during this war, and the political capabilities of the people of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines were overlooked. 

5. Why did Emilio Aguinaldo feel that the United States supported his campaign for Filipino independence? 
Emilio Aguinaldo felt that the United States supported his campaign for Filipino independence because the U.S. aided and protected the Filipinos in the war. He interpreted the U.S.'s disinterest towards the Filipino civilians as a disinterest to overcome them and an acceptance of their independence. Aguinaldo seemed to be particularly ignorant as to why the U.S. was actually disinterested, and to the fact that they really didn't regard his people as capable of being civilized or governing themselves. Emilio apparently never realized that the U.S. had many other intentions in taking part in the war. It was this ignorance plus the U.S.'s help in the war that led him to believe the United States supported his campaign for Filipino independence. 
6. Why do you think the Spanish-American War was called "a splendid little war" by an American diplomat at the time? Do you think we could have a "splendid little war" today? Explain your answer.
The Spanish-American War was most likely called "a splendid little war" by an American diplomat at the time because it was a quick war that resulted in many benefits for the United States. Death tolls are always bad, but the death toll of this war was not catastrophic. All around it was just an advancement, in the eyes of the United States. I think it's possible that we could have something that would be able to be called "a splendid little war" today. I mean, no war is particularly "splendid", but with the United States's power right now, I believe that we could get involved in a small, quick war, such as the Spanish-American War, in order to gain whatever benefits we are seeking. I think that while America has undergone many changes from the late 19th century to present day, it still has the capability of taking part in a war that is swift, and almost entirely for its own benefit.