Europa und der spanisch-amerikanische Krieg : Reaktionen und Verhalten der europäischen Großmächte auf den spanisch-amerikanischen Krieg 1898 im Vergleich / eingereicht von Nicole Slupetzky

• VerfasserIn: Slupetzky, Nicole 1972-
• Place / Publishing House: 1999
• Year of Publication: 1999
• Language: German
• Classification: 15.36 - Europäische Geschichte 1815-1914
• Physical Description: 231 Bl.; Ill., Kt.
• Notes: Abweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des Verfassers; Zsfassung in engl. Sprache

eng: The Spanish-American War of 1898 took place in a period when almost all European powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, France, Italy and Russia) tried to expand their political power and territory. While other European states were able to enlarge their territories and their power, Spain's colonies fought for independence, risking an US- intervention in Cuba. Owning Cuba meant for US-Navy to control the channel of Panama. The colonial conflict grew to an international matter. Spain tried to solve the dangerous situation diplomatically asking the European powers for support. The majority of the powers felt great sympathy for Spain but they were unable to find a common, unified policy to preserve a war between the United States and Spain. War broke out at the end of April 1898 and the military inferiority of Spain was soon obvious. The European powers became less interested in Spain's future and more interested in the destiny of the Spanish colonies the longer the Spanish-American war lasted. European nations rather tolerated US- American expansionism. The better the sphere of influence of the United States grew than that of any other European power seemed to be the general feeling in Europe. A main reason why the European powers did not come to an agreement concerning mediation in the Spanish-American conflict, was that feelings of rivalry and competition between nation states. The looser in this matter was definitely Spain. The Spanish- American War was the beginning of the end of the Spanish Empire. At the same time the USA entered world politics as a new power that could seriously endanger the Old World. The European powers failed to show their strength and power in appearing unified and as a consequence to prevent the USA from fulfilling its desire for intense expansion. The European powers contributed with their indifferent attitude, to the tremendously fast rise of the United States of America as an imperial world power.