7.2 The Spanish American War

1. 7.2 The Spanish American War

2. I. The Coming of War • Cuba was a Spanish colony • Exiled leader Jose Marti launched a rebellion to gain independence & established the Republic of Cuba (1895)

3. I. The Coming of War… • Although officially neutral, Americans openly supported Cuba • Stories of Spanish atrocities were reported • Printed in newspapers owned by William Randolph Hearst & Joseph Pulitzer • Yellow journalism

4. I. The Coming of War… • Interception of Enrique Dupuy de Lome’s letter • McKinley had sent the battleship Maine to Havana harbor (Jan. 1898) • Exploded & sank • Congress authorized McKinley to prepare for war

5. II. An American Empire A. U.S. & Spain signed the Treaty of Paris to end the war 1. Cuba became independent 2. U.S. got Puerto Rico & Guam 3. U.S. paid Spain $20 million for the Philippines

6. II. An American Empire… • Americans had debated over the annexation of the Philippines • Supporters wanted a military base, market for U.S. goods, & the opportunity to help “civilize” the people • Anti-imperialists felt it violated American principles

7. “If we turned the Philippines to Spain, we would be cowardly. If we handed the Philippines to France and Germany, we would be discreditable. If we left the Philippines to fend for themselves, they would fail. So we must take the Philippines under our wing; we will modernize them and lift them up. What’s the harm in that?” – President McKinley

8. II. An American Empire… • Cuba was forced to add the Platt Amendment to their constitution • Made Cuba a protectorate until 1934 • Congress passed the Foraker Act, which gave Puerto Rico a civil govt. • Later given U.S. citizenship & the right to elect their own governor (1917)

9. II. An American Empire… • In the Philippines, Emilio Aguinaldo & his men attacked American soldiers • Led to the Philippine-American War • U.S. defeated the Filipinos in 1902 & granted them independence in 1946