Acquiring New Lands

Acquiring New Lands

Big Questions • How was the United States involved in Puerto Rico and Cuba? • What were the causes and effects of the Philippine-American War?

Ruling Puerto Rico Some Puerto Ricans wanted independence and the chance to be their own country Some wanted statehood in the United States Some wanted to be a U.S. territory and have some self-government

Military Influence in Puerto Rico During the Spanish-American war, U.S. forces had occupied Puerto Rico The U.S. general in charge assured Puerto Ricans that the U.S. troops were there to protect them and their property, and to bring prosperity Puerto Rico would be controlled by the U.S. military until Congress decided otherwise

Puerto Rico’s Fate • Puerto Rico was strategically important to the U.S. • By occupying Puerto Rico, the U.S. could maintain its presence in the Caribbean • Occupation allowed the U.S. to protect the location of a canal that the U.S. had planned to build across Panama • 1900 – Foraker Act ended military rule in Puerto Rico • Gave the United States the power to appoint Puerto Rico’s governor and some of the legislature • Puerto Ricans were given U.S. citizenship in 1917

Cuba and the U.S. When the U.S. declared war against Spain in 1898, it recognized Cuba’s independence from Spain The U.S. also passed the Teller Amendment, which stated that the U.S. had no intention of taking over Cuba Treaty of Paris further guaranteed Cuban independence

America’s Presence in Cuba Though officially independent, Cuba was occupied by American troops when the war was over Jose Marti, who had led the Cuban independence movement, was afraid that the U.S. would replace Spain as a ruler Same officials who had served under Spanish control remained in office under U.S. occupation Cubans who protested this policy were imprisoned or exiled

Positives of U.S. Occupation in Cuba American military government provided food and clothing for thousands of families Also helped farmers put land back into cultivation Helped organize and build elementary schools Improved sanitation and medical research which helped eliminate yellow fever

Platt Amendment • When Cuba drafted its Constitution, the United States insisted that Cuba include the following rules: • Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control any party of it • The United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuba • Cuba could not go into debt • The U.S. could buy or lease land on the island for naval and refueling stations

Reactions to the Platt Amendment • U.S. made it clear that the military would not leave until Cuba adopted the rules of the Platt Amendment • Many Cubans reacted negatively • Some marched around the house of the military governor, Leonard Wood, demanding changes • Some even wanted to take up arms again to fight the United States • U.S. government stood firm, Cuba gave in and accepted the rules • Cuba became a U.S. protectorate, a country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger power

The Philippines • Filipinos were outraged about the Treaty of Paris, which gave the U.S. the Philippines • Filipinos wanted independence • Rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo believed that the U.S. had promised independence • He and his followers vowed to continue to fight for independence

Philippine-American War • February, 1899 – the Philippines rose in revolt • U.S. then took on the same role that Spain had in the previous war • When Filipinos adopted guerilla tactics, U.S. had them rounded up into concentration camps • This was the same practice that Americans had condemned Spain for using in Cuba • It took the U.S. nearly 3 years, 4,000 American lives, 20,000 Filipino lives, and $400 million to put down rebellion

Aftermath of the War After suppressing the rebellion, the United States set up a government in the Philippines similar to the one it had established in Puerto Rico The Philippines finally became an independent nation on July 4th, 1946

Opinions of U.S. Imperialism • William McKinley was re-elected against William Jennings Bryant, an anti-imperialist • McKinley took this as support for his imperialist policies • Anti-Imperialist League formed in the United States • Included Grover Cleveland, Andrew Carnegie, Jane Addams • They believed it was wrong for the U.S. to rule people without their consent • Many felt the U.S. shouldn’t get involved in foreign affairs with colonies

Quick Review How did the United States deal with Puerto Rico after the war? How did Puerto Ricans feel about this? How did the United States deal with Cuba after the war? How did Cubans feel about this? How did the United States deal with the Philippines after the war? How did Filipinos feel about this? What were some different opinions about the U.S. policy of imperialism?

Acquiring New Lands