For the first 100 years since the U.S. was founded, we were , meaning we kept to ourselves and focused on “America first.” But in the late 19th century, foreign policy changed rapidly as the U.S. became a . In the space of just years (1898 to 1901), the United States went from being a former of the British Empire to an imperial power in its own right, claiming or influence over no fewer than five islands outside its territorial boundaries (Cuba, , Guam, , and the Philippines).

Cuba had been a Spanish colony since the 1500s. In 1895, Cubans began to fight for independence and received a lot of American support especially through political & newspaper stories portraying the Spanish as evil tyrants.

The US sent a warship to Cuba for military support, however it blew up killing 260 Americans. The explosion was due to a mechanical problem, but the United States blamed it on Spain & war.

The Spanish American War lasted only 6 weeks. As a result of winning the war the US inherited Spain’s former colonies: Guam, Puerto Rico, & the .

The Teller Amendment declared that the U.S. would help the Cuban people gain their freedom from Spain, but would not the island as a U.S. after the war.

However, upon winning the war Cubans were not allowed to take part in the peace treaty negotiations with Spain and Cubans were forced to permit American diplomatic, economic presence in Cuba and allow a US presence in Guantanamo Bay.

Today the United States still uses Bay as a military prison for suspected terrorists. Many human rights violations have been reported there.

The U.S invaded Puerto Rico in July of 1898 stating they were freeing Puerto Ricans from .

Puerto Rico is given to the US at the end of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico is designated as an “unincorporated territory” with no path to becoming a state, due to racist fears of if it was admitted as a state.

Congress passes the Jones Act (1917), which granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship. In the 1950s, Puerto Rico drafts its own constitution and is allowed to govern itself.

Today, Puerto Rico is still not a , it is a . This means Puerto Ricans cannot vote for President, qualify for Social Security benefits or have representation in US Congress.

The Philippines were a Spanish colony in the Pacific that wanted independence. After destroying the Spanish the United States decides to help the Filipinos with their war for independence.

President McKinley felt Filipinos were incapable of ruling themselves (due believing them to be “ ”) and decides to the Philippines after paying Spain $20 million dollars despite lack of American support.

Filipinos wanted and not to be ruled by the US. In 1899. Emilio Aguinaldo led a revolt against the US. Results-Fighting lasts until 1902 & the US commits many war crimes like re-concentration camps. The Philippines is not granted independence from the US until July 4, 1946 after World War II.

Hawaii becomes a US territory & eventually the 50th state due to missionary & American influence.

Hawaii is ruled by a and their Queen Liliuokalani was determined to oppose foreign rule and make sure Hawaii did not become a colony.

In 1893, a small group of and pineapple-growing businessmen, backed by the U.S. military, overthrow Queen Liliuokalani, seized million acres of land. The Americans in Hawaii ask Congress for U.S. annexation in 1898. Hawaii became a state in 1959.