Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War Chapter 9 section 2

Essential Question What were the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War?

Cubans Rebel Against Spanish Rule By 1897 American businessmen had invested $50 million in Cuban business ventures Cuba is only 90 miles off the coast of Florida and was a colony of Spain

Jose Marti Cuban patriot who led a revolt in 1895 to “Free Cuba” Rebel forces used guerilla warfare and hit & run raids against the Spanish Spanish deprived rebels of food and recruits American property was destroyed Americans worried about their economic interests in Cuba

Yellow Press Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst increased American dislike for the Spanish government They were referred to as yellow press because their newspapers contained a popular comic strip with a character called “The Yellow Kid” To sell papers they exaggerated Spanish atrocities and compared Cuban Rebels to American Colonists

America Steps In Spain refused to grant Cuban independence McKinley sent USS Maine to Havana Harbor to protect Americans in Cuba Hearst published a private (leaked Letter) written by Spain’s ambassador to DC calling McKinley weak and stupid Letter fueled American jingoism (aggressive nationalism)

“Remember the Maine” Feb. 15, 1898, an explosion tore through the hull of the USS Maine as it was docked at Havana Harbor 266 American sailors were killed The US blamed Spain…initial investigation blamed a mine, follow-up investigations had doubts; official cause unknown US Patriots urged their fellow Americans to “Remember the Maine”

McKinley Reacts April 1898 Congress sent Navy to blockade Cuban ports and called for more than 100,000 volunteers in the Army This prompted Spain to declare war on the United States 200,000 enlisted!

Dewey Takes The Philippines May 1st, 1898 Commodore George Dewey sailed into Manila Bay in the Spanish controlled Philippines Americans surprised and destroyed the Spanish fleet docked in the bay

Emilio Aguinaldo Led Filipino revolt against Spanish on land U.S. sent 15,000 troops to help and the Spanish surrendered

U.S. Forces Win In Cuba June 1898 Americans land in Cuba U.S. Marines had already captured Guantanamo Bay Army headed to Santiago

Conditions for a U.S. Soldier Poorly trained Equipped with obsolete weapons Heavy wool uniforms to fight in Cuba! Corrupt officials Given contaminated/rotted food

Diversity General Shafter went to Santiago with national guard units, African-American 9th &10th cavalry regiments, and Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders

TR’s Rough Riders Made up of rugged westerners and upper class easterners Famous Battle: San Juan Hill Goal: Secure high ground around Santiago Result: 2 days later Spanish tried to flee, but were forced to surrender

Effects of War • 3000 Americans died • 380 in combat • The rest from disease (malaria & yellow fever) • Pretty easy victory for Americans • Dilemma: What to do with new Spanish holdings? • Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam

Treaty of Paris Signed by Spain & U.S. in 1898 to officially end the war Spain gave up Cuba, Puerto Rico & Guam Spain sold the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million

Debate • Teller Amendment prevented U.S. from keeping Cuba, but what should the U.S. do with the Philippines? • Anti-Imperialists wanted to grant Filipinos their independence • Imperialist wanted to keep the Philippines • Educate, uplift, and civilize them • Another country would just take them over again without U.S. protection • Valuable stepping stone to trade with China

New Role of The U.S. As a result of the Spanish-American War, U.S. gained an empire and became a global power The war was a turning point for American foreign policy

Spanish-American War