Day 61 Spanish American War

1. Day 61 Spanish American War

2. US -Spanish Tension • Spain had been a dominant empire since the early 1500’s • Monroe Doctrine (Pres. 5) • US interest in Cuba: • 90 miles off Florida Coast • US investment in Sugar, Tobacco plantations • In 1854 Franklin Pierce (Pres. 14) offers to buy it Spain responds – “we would rather see Cuba sunk into the sea”

3. Cuban War for Independence • First Rebellion 1868-1878 unsuccessful but helped end slavery • US starts to purchase sugar cane plantations • In 1895 Jose Marti ( A Cuban poet and Journalist) leads Revolutionary movement • US opinion backed Cuba

4. War Fever • Valermo Weyler (Spanish commander) concentrates rural population 300,000 • Yellow Journalist- told exaggerated accounts to sell papers – enraged American readers • McKinley (25)- tries diplomatic method and has some success • De Lome Letter- A Cuban rebel stole a private letter that the Spanish Minister had written saying that McKinley was weak that was published Hearst paper • Spanish were apologetic. But American’s were insulted

5. Hearst to Artist Fredric Remingtonafter Remington said that he didn’t think that the US would go to War “You furnish the pictures and I will furnish the war”

6. WAR! • USS Main was sent to evacuate American citizens • February 15, 1898 exploded in Havana Harbor • Newspapers reported and offered an award that the Spanish had blown it up • The Spanish agree to all demands but US still declares war

7. The Philippines • Spain prepared for war in Cuba …so the US attacks the Philippines • George Dewey destroys Spanish Fleet and took Manila within hours • US Troops fought with Emilio Aguinaldo a Filipino rebel that had been fighting against Spanish rule • US concentrates population - defeats Filipinos

8. Caribbean War • US Establishes Naval Blockade • Naval contrast with army. Ill prepared with heavy coats not suited for tropical fighting • 9th and 10th Cavalry (African American regiments) clear way in Santiago • Rough riders led by Teddy Roosevelt get credit for San Juan Hill • Newspapers focus on minor Victory of San Juan Hill • US Then invades Puerto Rico

9. Treaty of Paris • Spain frees Cuba turns over Guam, Puerto Rico and West Indies • Sells Philippines for $20 million

10. McKinley on the Philippines “ There is nothing left to do but to take them and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and Christianize our little brown brothers”

11. Summary Question • This is a sensational style of writing to lure readers • Cuban Poet who launched a revolution. • The US declared War when this ship was destroyed. • What was the result of the Spanish American war for Cuba? • This Letter helped fuel the resentment toward Spain. • Which Spanish General concentrated the Cuban population. • The US paid $20 million to annex this Island. • Teddy Roosevelt became a hero because of this event although the Rough Riders played a minor role. • He was the Admiral that defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.