in 3-5 sentences, compare the 2 opposing American opinions regarding expansion of US territory after the spanish american war.

Answer 1

After the Spanish-American War, American opinions were sharply divided regarding territorial expansion. Proponents of expansion, often referred to as imperialists, argued that acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines was essential for enhancing U.S. power and influence on the global stage, as well as for economic opportunities. Conversely, opponents, known as anti-imperialists, contended that expansion contradicted the core American values of self-determination and democracy, fearing that it would lead to the subjugation of other peoples and the entanglement in foreign conflicts. This debate highlighted underlying tensions about national identity, moral responsibility, and the direction of American foreign policy.