The spanish-american war

1. The spanish-american war October 21, 2013

2. Key Points Today • How did the United States justify going to war with Spain? • What was Theodore Roosevelt’s role in the war and why was it significant? • What did the Treaty of Paris do and what were its affects in the bigger picture?

3. Review • US interests in Cuba? • Cuba’s fight for independence • “yellow journalism” • Its role in leading the US to war with Spain • De Lôme Letter Pressure builds until February 15, 1898…

4. War erupts • “Remember the Maine!” • Spain concedes to US demands; American public opinion favored war. • April 11President McKinley asks Congress for declaration of war. • April 20, 1898War on Spain is declared.

5. War in the philippines • …yes, Philippines. • Spanish colony in Philippines, first battle of the war fought there on April 20. • Commodore George Dewey • Like Cubans, Filipinos wanted freedom from Spain. • 11,000 Americans joined forces with Filipino rebels. • 2 months: Spanish troops were defeated, surrender in Manila.

6. War in the Caribbean • Aggression begins with US Naval blockade in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. • Seals up harbor, along with Spanish fleet. • Navy showing its strength in both the Pacific and Caribbean. • Army not nearly as impressive… • Few professional soldiers; 125,000 volunteers • Poor training, inadequate supplies, ineffective leaders • Not enough guns • Not outfitted for Cuban weather

7. Teddy Roosevelt & the rough riders • Despite the poorly managed troops, Army forces landed in Cuba in June. • 17,000 men4 African-American regiments, and volunteer cavalry regiment led by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt called the Rough Riders. • Rooseveltgiven up job as Assistant Secretary of Navy to lead this unit.

8. Battle of San Juan Hill • July 1, 1898 • Most famous battle of the war • Rough Riders helped lead the charge to make way for the attack • Newspapers declared Roosevelt the hero of the battle, although he and his men played a minor role. • “Hero” status begins to pave way for Roosevelt’s future. • Two days following the American victory, Spanish fleet tries to escape blockade • Results in a battle off of the coast and destruction of Spanish fleet

9. Ending the “splendid little war” • United States and Spain sign an armistice—cease-fire agreement—on August 12. • After less than 4 months of fighting, the war is over. • December 10meet in Paris to form and sign a treaty. • Spain… • Freed Cuba • Gave islands of Guam and Puerto Rico • Sold the Philippines for $20 million

10. Death toll • Total American Lives Lost: 3,289 • (Including those killed on the Maine: 3,549) • Those killed by disease: 2,957 • Killed in Action: 332

11. Treaty of paris controversy • Big Picture: Did the United States have the right to annex the Philippines? • McKinley argued “that there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all [the Philippine islands], and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and Christianize them.” • Imperialism was the real issue—most Filipinos had been Christians for centuries. • Many argued that the annexation violated the Declaration of Independence—self-government denied. • Booker T. Washington—settle our own race issues at home before getting involved in foreign social issues.

12. Wrapping up the war • February 6, 1899Senate approves Treaty of Paris • Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines are now all under US control. • Cuba is free, but still under much US control. • Puts United States on the map as an emerging world power. • Marks the end of the Spanish Empire. • News coverage now has a much more significant role.

13. Can we answer these questions? • How did the United States justify going to war with Spain? • What was Theodore Roosevelt’s role in the war and why was it significant? • What did the Treaty of Paris do and what were its affects in the bigger picture?