CH. 17-2 THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

1. CH. 17-2 THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AMERICAN HISTORY

2. SIMMERING UNREST IN CUBA • 1890s—Only Spanish colonies in western hemisphere are Cuba and Puerto Rico • 1868—Cubans launch a series of revolts to Spanish rule • Spain sent leaders of the independence movement into exile • Jose Marti—exiled to NYC in 1878 • He promoted independence through newspaper articles and poetry

3. Marti founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party in 1892 • Feb. 1895—another Cuban revolt • Marti joined them in April 1895 but was killed in battle a month later • Spain sent soldiers to suppress the rebels in 1896 • Spanish put Cubans into camps to keep them from aiding the rebels

4. Nearly 1/3 of people in camps died from starvation and disease • Spanish mistreatment of these people shocked Americans

5. AMERICANS GET WAR FEVER • Many Americans were sympathetic to the Cuban cause • THE MEDIA’S ROLE • Most people get their news from daily or weekly newspapers • NYC had as many as 15 newspapers • New York Journal—William Randolph Hearst; New York World—Joseph Pulitzer

6. Both papers told scandalous stories and put shocking pictures on their pages • Sensationalist writing became known as YELLOW JOURNALISM • Both papers through their support behind the rebels and didn’t use any Spanish sources for stories

7. THE EXPLOSION OF THE MAINE • Hearst thought the Americans should intervene in Cuba • President William McKinley was reluctant to involve the USA • February 8, 1898—Journal prints a letter written by Enrique Dupuy de Lome that was acquired by the newspaper

8. The letter ridiculed McKinley for being “weak and catering to the rabble” • Americans were outraged • Americans wanted war with Spain • USS Maine was sent to Havana to protect American lives and property • February 15, 1898—Maine mysteriously blows up killing 260 sailors

9. Journal accused “an enemy” for the bombing but there was no evidence • Historians believe a fire in the coal room caused the explosion • Americans blamed the Spanish • “Remember the Maine” was a rallying cry • Late March—McKinley demands that Spain give Cuba independence

10. Spain refused • Congress declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898

11. THE COURSE OF THE WAR • Spanish-American War lasted only 4 months • WAR IN THE PHILLIPINES • Asst. Navy Secretary Roosevelt had sent orders to Commodore George Dewey to attack Spanish fleet in the Philippines if war broke out • Dewey rushed to Manila Bay • May 1, 1898—Spanish open fire but US is out of range

12. Dewey did not want to waste ammunition because resupply was 7000 miles away • American navy had boats with iron and steel hulls • Heavy damage inflicted on the wooden Spanish ships • All Spanish ships were on fire and sinking • No US casualties but 400 injured or killed on Spanish side in the Battle of Manila Bay

13. Next move was to attack Manila with the help of rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo • US sailors remained in the bay but cut off Spanish forces • Spanish forces in Manila surrendered on August 14, 1898 • THE WAR IN CUBA • TELLER AMENDMENT—After Cuba freed itself, the USA would leave the government and control of the island to its people

14. Victory in Cuba was more difficult than first thought • US War Dept. was not as prepared as they should have been • Soldiers had woolen uniforms for a summer war • Mess pans-tin plates issued to soldiers—left over from the Civil War • Canned meat in Cuba was so sickening it was called “embalmed beef”

15. Most soldiers were enlisted, but some were volunteers • Most famous volunteers were ROUGH RIDERS—a group organized by Teddy Roosevelt • US strategy was to capture Santiago by controlling the hills surrounding the city • July 1—soldiers work to control the hills • Rough Riders gained control of one hill in the BATTLE OF SAN JUAN HILL

16. For their heroic actions, 6 soldiers, including Roosevelt, were awarded the Medal of Honor • July 3—US Navy sank the entire Spanish fleet in Cuba • Two weeks later—Spanish troops surrendered • Soon after, the US defeated Spanish forces in Puerto Rico

17. CONSEQUENCES OF THE WAR • Spain had to give up all claims to Cuba and cede the Puerto Rico and the island of Guam to the US. • Spain turned over control of the Philippines to the US for $20 million • The war cost the US $250 million and some 2000 soldiers died from Yellow Fever • US now considered an imperialist nation • Within a year it would acquire the Pacific island of Samoa

18. ANNEXATING THE PHILIPPINES • ARGUMENTS FOR ANNEXATION • Duty to spread US values overseas • McKinley though we should “educate, uplift, civilize, and Christianize the Filipinos” • Others saw the islands as an economic and strategic place to refuel/resupply ships • People didn’t want the islands to fall into the hands of other countries such as Germany or Japan

19. OPPONENTS’ VIEWS • Some felt the annexation would violate the ideal of self-government • These people formed the Anti-Imperialist League in June 1898 • Some people thought annexation would lead to a flood of new immigrants • Samuel Gompers (AFL) believed this would hurt American workers

20. AMERICAN RULE • February 6, 1899—US Senate narrowly approved annexation treaty • Emilio Aguinaldo threatened military action if the US tried to assume control • Fighting broke out for 3 years • Finally Aguinaldo was captured • Final casualties—US--4,000, Filipinos--220,000 (mainly from disease)

21. Stated goal of the US was to prepare the Philippines for independence • US appointed a governor • Filipinos were allowed to select the lower house of the legislature • 1916—Voters won the right to select both houses • JULY 4, 1946—Philippines granted full independence from the USA • THE END