Discuss the effects of the Spanish–American War (1898) on the US and Cuba.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the effects of the Spanish–American War on both the US and Cuba. The effects of the war can be during and after the war. Being the first US war since the US Civil War, it created a sense of unity between former enemies and fostered national pride. It also fuelled the feelings of Anglo–Saxon superiority and imperialism. Some candidates may also argue that it made the US a world power. The US gained the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico and secured the independence of Cuba. With the removal of Spain from the area, the US became the dominant force throughout the region. For Cuba, candidates are likely to refer to the achievement of independence from Spain, but not total independence as the US remained very much involved in Cuba. Cuba wrote a constitution, created a national government and elected a president. However, the Platt Amendment to the constitution, which gave the US the right to intervene in Cuban affairs, was forced upon them.