Results of the Spanish-American War

The conclusion of the Spanish-American War ushered in a new era for American foreign policy, which comprised the following:

• An ongoing debate between imperialist and anti-imperialist forces
• A commitment to govern the Philippines, where an insurrection broke out among natives who desired full independence
• The need to bring the army and navy up to world-class levels; the creation of a true two-ocean navy would also necessitate the development of a canal across Central America
• The emergence of Theodore Roosevelt as a major figure on the American scene.