Question

u.s. neutrality: a primary sources analysis activity
primary sources are first hand accounts of an event or situation in history. these accounts can be verbal (a quote, journal, or other written piece) or they may be visual (an image, sign, video...). the person providing the information in the account actually lived through and experienced the history. this makes primary sources very important for understanding history. still, you must consider the source, its relevance for the time period, the reliability of the account, and any bias that may be held by the person providing the information.
u.s. actions 1898 - 1916
1898 - war with spain to “defend” cuba
1898 - u.s. annexation of puerto rico
1901 - 6 - u.s. intervention in cuba
1905 - roosevelt mediates agreement to settle russian - japanese dispute
1910 - increased attention in gaining overseas markets
1911 - u.s. becomes “protector” or nicaragua
1915 - u.s. becomes “protector” of haiti and sends troops
1916 - u.s. troops go to dominican republic
“there must be two americas: one that sets the captive free, and one that takes a once - captive’s new freedom away from him, and picks a quarrel with him with nothing to found it on; then kills him to get his land.” - mark twain, 1901

1. the u.s. claimed they did not want to interfere in outside entanglements prior to wwi. did their actions support this claim? support your answer.
2. how does mark twain see the u.s. and their involvement in other regions?

Explanation:

1. The U.S. actions from 1898 - 1916 such as war with Spain, annexation of Puerto Rico, interventions in Cuba, mediation in the Russian - Japanese dispute, and becoming "protector" of Nicaragua, Haiti, and sending troops to the Dominican Republic show they were involved in outside entanglements. So, their actions did not support the claim of not wanting to interfere.
2. Mark Twain's quote implies he sees the U.S. as having a dual - natured approach. One side is presented as liberating, while the other side takes freedom away, picks quarrels without cause, and seizes land.

Answer:

1. No. Their actions like war with Spain, annexation, and interventions show they were involved in outside entanglements.
2. He sees the U.S. as having a dual - natured approach where one side liberates and the other seizes land and freedom without just cause.