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Spanish American War. Back Ground. Cuba was a colony of Spain Americans businesses interests in Cuba 50 million in sugar cane plantations Proximity Only 90 miles the Florida coast. Cubans go to war against Spain. Jose Marti launched a war for independence from Spain in 1895
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Back Ground • Cuba was a colony of Spain • Americans businesses interests in Cuba • 50 million in sugar cane plantations • Proximity • Only 90 miles the Florida coast
Cubans go to war against Spain • Jose Marti launched a war forindependence from Spain in 1895 • Cuba Libre (free Cuba) • Use guerrilla (hit and run) tactics (methods) • To control rebels Spanish General ValerianoWeyler rounded up rural population into concentration camps • Many died from diseases and starvation • Cubans destroyed American property • American support • some sided with rebels wanting independence • Some Americans just wanted stability
1. America concern over conditions on island of Cuba • American property was being destroyed • Misgovernment – island in turmoil
2. Economic interest • had large land owning in Cuba • Sugar industry on island • unstable government is bad for business • New Cuban or Spanish government might take over holdings • wanted friendly stable government
3. Manifest Destiny • Taken control of the Caribbean Sea was a continuation of American Manifest Destiny
Yellow Journalism • Rival newspaper publishers • Joseph Pulitzer (New York World) and • William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) • To boost readership wrote sensational headlines and pictures on their front pages • Stories exaggerated Spanish atrocities • compared Cuban rebels to the patriots of American Revolution • "They colored the funnies, but they colored the news as well." • "Please remain. You furnish the pictures, I'll furnish the war." Hearst • the Journal devoted more than eight pages a day to the story Yellow Kid Cartoon Character
DeLome Letter • Spanish minister to the US • wrote letter to friend in Cuba • criticized President McKinley • “a weak and stupid politician” • Hearst published the letter • Headline “Worst Insult to the United States in Is History” • Letter fueled American jingosim • aggressive nationalism
Spark that Caused the War • Explosion of USS Maine in Havana harbor • 266 out of 354 on board died • Press accused Spain of blowing up the battleship • “Remember the Maine to h@%& with Spain”
The War with Spain • Admiral Dewey takes the Philippines • Help from Emilio Aguinaldo • US forces win Cuba • USS Marines captured Guantanamo Bay • Win Kettle and San Juan Hill • Make Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders heroes • Heroic fighting done by the 9th and 10th Black Units • Spanish fleet destroyed trying to escape Santiago’s harbor • Spanish forces in Santiago surrender • “Splendid little war!”
Effects of the War • Treaty of Pairs • Ended the war • Spain gave up control of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Guam • Sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million • Teller Amendment • no sovereignty over Cuba / once it is free US would leave • BUT • Platt Amendment • 1. Cuba not allowed to enter into any agreement that would danger its independence • 2. US had right to intervene in Cuban affairs • 3. Us was granted Guantanamo Bay
Significance: • Turning point in American foreign policy • No longer isolationist • Am emerged from war as a world power • United a nation • Ended the Spanish Empire • Peace Treaty gave US a colonial empire • Made Teddy Roosevelt a hero