Answer: It meant a paradoxal situation because the proper foundation of the USA was an anti-imperialist and anti-colonial act. Foundation of the USA was an emancipation against British imperialism. But already in 1840s USA started practicing imperialist policy toward Mexico (Texas) and Central America. It was a paradox. Spanish American war was sort of a culmination of this kind of policy.
Explanation: One of the explanations is a Social Darwinism which was very fashionable at that time and its perspective was applied not only to societies and races but also to history. According to this perspective Latin nations were decadent and condemned to extinction. Such a view seemed to be confirmed by Franco-Prussian war (example). The same perspective followed Americans (Theodor Roosevelt).
A major accomplishment of Britain’s Reform Act of 1832 was that it gave voting rights to "all adult males" in society, as opposed to only males of certain classes as before.
The movement exploded in Germany and spread throughout Europe. The idea of freedom from authority spread to the peasants who revolted against the nobility and royal oppressors. ... The leader of the Reformation, Martin Luther, did not support the efforts of the peasants.
Congress had not have the power to tax. Congress did not have the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. There was no executive branch to enforce any acts passed by Congress. There was no national court system.
