Final Answer:
The philosophical justifications for the war with Spain were primarily based on humanitarian intervention and the promotion of American ideals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spanish-American War of 1898 was justified by a range of philosophical reasons, prominently including humanitarian intervention. The American public was swayed by the notion of freeing Cuba from Spanish oppression, portraying the conflict as a noble effort to liberate an oppressed people. Influential voices in the press, such as the sensationalist reporting of the USS Maine's explosion in Havana Harbor, fueled public outrage, framing Spain as a tyrannical force suppressing Cuban aspirations for independence.
Moreover, the war was ideologically justified by the promotion of American ideals, particularly the concept of Manifest Destiny, which advocated American expansionism and the spread of democracy. Many viewed it as the duty of the United States to extend its influence beyond its borders and uplift other nations under the guise of fostering democratic principles and national self-determination.
Additionally, some American policymakers and intellectuals embraced the idea of imperialism as a means of spreading American values and securing economic interests. This perspective aligned with the belief that acquiring overseas territories would allow the United States to expand its markets and exert its power globally, thereby enhancing its status as a world power.
In summary, the philosophical justifications for the war with Spain revolved around notions of humanitarian intervention, the promotion of American ideals like democracy and freedom, and the pursuit of economic and strategic interests through expansionism. These justifications framed the conflict as a moral imperative and a means of furthering America's influence and interests on the world stage.