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Spanish-American War and Imperialism. Pgs. 279-281. Imperialism. After the United States took control of Alaska and Hawaii, some people accused the country’s leaders of imperialism. Imperialism – empire building
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Spanish-American WarandImperialism Pgs. 279-281
Imperialism • After the United States took control of Alaska and Hawaii, some people accused the country’s leaders of imperialism. • Imperialism – empire building • The U.S. also began to come into conflict with European nations that had spread beyond their borders, too – especially Spain.
Trouble with Spain • By the end of the 1800s, Cuba and Puerto Rico were the only two colonies Spain had left in the Western Hemisphere. • Cuba wanted its independence from Spain and tried two times to become and independent nation but failed both times. (1868 and 1895) • Many Americans supported Cuba’s fight to win their independence.
Trouble with Spain • In 1898 President McKinley sent the Battleship Maine to Havana, Cuba. • On Feb. 15 the Maine exploded killing 200 American soldiers. • It was not clear why the ship blew up, but the United States blamed Spain. • Many Americans demanded that Spain be held accountable!
War with Spain • On April 25, 1898 the United States declared war on Spain. • Theodore Roosevelt volunteered to fight. He led a group called the Rough Riders and took part in the Battle of San Juan Hill. • The Rough Riders were mostly cowhands and college athletes. • The Rough Riders were also part of the Siege of Santiago.
Siege of Santiago. • A siege is an attack that lasts for a long time. • It ended on July 17, 1898. • The Spanish-American War lasted less than four months. • Approximately 5,000 American soldiers died, most from diseases such as Malaria and yellow fever.
Results • With the signing of the peace treaty with Spain, America gained control of Cuba, Guam, the Philippine Islands, and Puerto Rico. • Cuba became an independent country in 1901 followed by the Philippines in 1946. • Guam and Puerto Rico are still possessions of the United States.
Theodore Roosevelt • Roosevelt was popular with Americans following the war. • He was asked to be President McKinley’s Vice-President. • In 1901 President McKinley was shot in Buffalo, New York and died eight days later. • Roosevelt then became President.
Theodore Roosevelt • Roosevelt was a man of action. • He felt the U.S. should use its power to influence events in the world. • He thought that what happened in the rest of the world affected the U.S. • Because of his work, he became the first American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.