U.S. Control

Definition

U.S. control refers to the political, military, and economic dominance exerted by the United States over territories acquired through negotiations, treaties, and military actions. This control was established through a series of diplomatic efforts and agreements that facilitated the expansion of U.S. influence, shaping the nation’s borders and its role in international relations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. U.S. control was solidified through treaties such as the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, which facilitated the acquisition of Florida from Spain.
2. The Gadsden Purchase in 1853 further expanded U.S. territory by acquiring land from Mexico to facilitate southern transcontinental railroad routes.
3. Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, U.S. control extended to territories in the Caribbean and Pacific, significantly altering American imperial ambitions.
4. The establishment of U.S. control often involved complex negotiations with foreign powers and local populations, frequently leading to resistance and conflict.
5. U.S. control has historically been justified through ideologies like Manifest Destiny, which framed territorial expansion as a benevolent and divinely ordained mission.

Review Questions

• How did key treaties contribute to establishing U.S. control over new territories?
  • Key treaties played a crucial role in establishing U.S. control by formalizing territorial acquisitions through legal agreements. For example, the Adams-Onís Treaty allowed the U.S. to acquire Florida from Spain, while the Treaty of Paris following the Spanish-American War resulted in significant gains in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. These treaties not only expanded U.S. territory but also solidified its influence over these regions through diplomatic recognition.
• Analyze how U.S. control over newly acquired territories impacted local populations and governance structures.
  • U.S. control often led to significant changes in governance structures for local populations, frequently disregarding their existing political systems and cultural practices. In many cases, this resulted in resistance movements as local communities opposed American rule or policies imposed upon them. The integration of these territories into the United States also meant that American laws and customs began to override local traditions, leading to social upheaval and transformation.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of U.S. control on international relations in North America and beyond.
  • The long-term implications of U.S. control have been profound in shaping international relations both in North America and globally. The expansionist policies adopted during periods of U.S. control led to conflicts with other nations, including Mexico and Spain, establishing a precedent for American interventionism that would continue throughout the 20th century. Additionally, this control fostered relationships based on dominance rather than equality, influencing how future interactions between the U.S. and its neighbors were conducted and setting a framework for American foreign policy.

Related terms

Treaty of Paris (1898): The treaty that ended the Spanish-American War, granting the U.S. control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a significant expansion of American territorial influence.

Annexation: The process by which a state incorporates territory into its own jurisdiction, often without the consent of the territory's original government or population.

Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century belief that the expansion of the U.S. across the American continents was both justified and inevitable, driving policies that led to territorial acquisitions.