GED Social Studies TestU.S. HistoryHard
A political historian is analyzing the major shifts in U.S. foreign policy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Which of the following events most directly signaled the emergence of the United States as a global power with overseas possessions?
- AThe Spanish-American War (1898)
- BThe entry into World War I (1917)
- CThe Louisiana Purchase (1803)
- DThe Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The Spanish-American War (1898)
The Spanish-American War resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a clear departure from its continental focus and establishing it as a colonial power on the world stage.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Entry into WWI showed global involvement but occurred after the U.S. had already established itself as a global power through earlier territorial acquisitions.
- C. The Louisiana Purchase expanded U.S. territory, but it was contiguous and did not establish overseas possessions.
- D. The Mexican-American War resulted in significant territorial gains (e.g., California), but these were also contiguous and within the North American continent.
Spanish-American War (1898)
A conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America.
- Fought over Cuba's independence from Spain.
- Resulted in U.S. control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
- Marked the rise of the U.S. as a world power with overseas possessions.
- Fueled debates over American imperialism.
Memory trick: War with Spain, new lands gained, global power proclaimed.