Once Spain was driven out by the force of the U.S. military and navy, negotiations for a treaty ensued. Terms were discussed and it was decided that Spain would hand over not only Cuba and the Philippines, but Guam and Puerto Rico as well (Crucible). The Treaty of Paris was sent to the Senate for at least a two thirds ratification. The debate that surrounded this vote is central in American foreign policy, even today. Should the United States become an imperial power, aiming to establish an empire? At the time of the debate many senators expressed views that either fall on one side or the other. George Hoar, a senator from Massachusetts described that “this treaty will make us a vulgar, common place empire, controlling subject races and vassal
