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US In the Spanish-American War. “The Splendid Little War” –Teddy Roosevelt. Motivations for Imperialism. In the 1890s, due to rising exports, manufacturing, power, and wealth, US sought overseas markets to sell its goods. US sought to prove itself as world power and spread democracy
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US In the Spanish-American War “The Splendid Little War” –Teddy Roosevelt
Motivations for Imperialism • In the 1890s, due to rising exports, manufacturing, power, and wealth, US sought overseas markets to sell its goods. • US sought to prove itself as world power and spread democracy • Darwin’s theory of survival-of-the-fittest = United States was the fittest and needed to take over other nations to improve them. • Such events already were happening, as Europeans had carved up Africa and China by this time. • White Man’s Burden – civilizing the world’s savages
Cuba • In 1895, Cuba revolted against Spain, citing years of misrule • America supported Cuba, and the situation worsened when Spanish General came to Cuba to crush the revolt and put many civilians into concentration camps
Yellow Journalism • Goal is to sell papers, not about responsible reporting • Perpetuated by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer in a selling war • Presents little or no legitimate well-researched news • Techniques include exaggeration and sensationalism • Term is used today to discredit reporting seen as unprofessional or unethical
Spark of War • On February 15th of 1898, the U.S. battleship U.S.S. Maine mysteriously exploded in Havana Harbor, killing 260 officers and men. • America was war-mad in part due to HI success and Yellow Journalism and Spain received the blame. • Hearst called down to Cuba, “You supply the pictures, I’ll supply the story.” • What really happened was an accidental explosion had blown up the ship • However, on April 11, 1898, the president sent his war message to Congress anyway, since war with Spain seemed inevitable, America had to defend democracy Spanish-American War begins!