America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Mastering U.S. Foreign Policy!

During the Spanish-American War, the United States exhibited a blend of both isolationist and internationalist tendencies. Prior to the war, the U.S. followed a largely isolationist policy, avoiding significant entanglements in international affairs and conflicts, particularly those involving European powers. However, as tensions grew over Spain's colonial rule in Cuba and reports of humanitarian crises surfaced, the U.S. began to shift towards a more internationalist approach.

The intervention in the war marked a departure from strict isolationism, as the U.S. directly engaged in conflict and sought to exert influence on the international stage. The war resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, highlighting a new phase of American imperialism and a readiness to engage in global affairs. This combination illustrates how the U.S. was navigating between its isolationist tendencies and a newfound interest in international involvement, making the answer a nuanced understanding of this period in foreign policy.