Editor’s note: This is the 53rd in a series of essays on the history and meaning of the American political tradition. The United States fought two wars of conquest during the 19th century. The first (1846-48), against Mexico, added new territories to the Southwest, which would later be incorporated into the United States. A half century later (1898), it fought the second war against Spain and acquired more new territories: Guam, The Philippines and Puerto Rico; it also became guardian of Cuba, which later b … (read more)
