1 / 13

U.S. Interest in Cuba: Prelude to the Spanish-American War

U.S. Interest in Cuba: Prelude to the Spanish-American War. The Imperialist Tailor. Cuba in the late 19 th century. Trying to gain independence from Spain since 1870s. Cuba has been under Spain’s control for almost 4 centuries All attempts before the Spanish American War had been crushed.

soleil
Download Presentation

U.S. Interest in Cuba: Prelude to the Spanish-American War

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. U.S. Interest in Cuba:Prelude to the Spanish-American War

  2. The Imperialist Tailor

  3. Cuba in the late 19th century • Trying to gain independence from Spain since 1870s. • Cuba has been under Spain’s control for almost 4 centuries • All attempts before the Spanish American War had been crushed.

  4. American Interest in Cuba • U.S. long interested in Cuba; wants to buy Cuba from Spain • During 1868–1878 war for independence, American sympathies with Cuba • 1886 abolition of slavery leads to U.S. investment in sugar cane

  5. The Second War for Independence • José Martí—poet, journalist—launches second revolution in 1895 • Guerrilla campaign destroys American-owned sugar mills, plantations • U.S. public opinion split: - business wants to support Spain - others favor Cuban cause

  6. Spain Takes Action • 1896, General ValerianoWeyler sent to Cuba to restore order • Puts about 300,000 Cubans in concentration camps to weed out the Rebels • Many of them die from starvation and disease due to neglect

  7. Response to Weyler’s Actions Newspapers exploit Weyler’s actions in circulation, nicknamed him “The Butcher” Yellow journalism—sensational writing used to lure, enrage readers, mainly to sell copies • In this instance, fueled the tension between both the United States and Spain Hearst to Frederick Remington (artist): “You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war!” Joesph Pulitzer (New York World) William R. Hearst (New York Journal)

  8. The de Lôme Letter • Headlines increase American sympathy for independent Cuba • McKinley wants to avoid war, tries diplomacy to resolve crisis • Private letter by Spanish minister Enrique Dupuy de Lômepublished in Cuba, stolen by Rebels • - calls McKinley weak, that he is easily swayed by the public • Spain apologizes, de Lôme resigns; American public angry Dupuy de Lôme, SpanishAmbassador to the U.S.

  9. The U.S.S.Maine Explodes • U.S.S.Maine sent to pick up U.S. citizens, protect U.S. property • Ship blows up in Havana harbor; newspapers blame Spain

  10. The United States Declares War • • Spain sympathetic about the event • Spain pressured by U.S. to make concessions, agrees to most U.S. demands • public opinion still favors war • • U.S. declares war April 1898

  11. Was the Maine really attacked?

More Related