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The Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War. Causes and Effects. Cuba: A Colony of Spain. Cuba and Puerto Rico colonies of Spain Cuba produced 1/3 of world’s sugar 1/3 of Cubans were enslaved on sugar plantations until 1886 Several rebellions against Spain and attempts to self-govern. U.S. Economy and Cuba.

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The Spanish-American War

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  1. The Spanish-American War Causes and Effects

  2. Cuba: A Colony of Spain • Cuba and Puerto Rico colonies of Spain • Cuba produced 1/3 of world’s sugar • 1/3 of Cubans were enslaved on sugar plantations until 1886 • Several rebellions against Spain and attempts to self-govern

  3. U.S. Economy and Cuba • Cuba exported sugar to U.S. • Americans invested $50 million in Cuba’s sugar plantations, mines, and railroads • U.S. imposes new tariff (import/export tax) on sugar coming from Cuba • Plummets the Cuban economy

  4. Cuban Rebellion 1895 • Financial crisis causes unrest • Rebellion! • Rebels seized control of Eastern Cuba • Declared independence from Spain • Established the Republic of Cuba in September 1895

  5. American Support for Cuba • Compared Cuban struggle against Spanish to American struggle against British (American Revolution) • Americans smuggle guns from Florida to Cuban rebels

  6. Yellow Journalism • Sensationalist reporting- exaggerated or even made up to attract readers • Stories of Spanish atrocities (starving people, women and children killed, violence, etc.) • “Spanish feeding Cuban prisoners to sharks and dogs” • “Blood on the roadsides, blood in the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood!”

  7. Rebels vs. Spain • 200,000 Spanish troops sent to Cuba • Cuban hit-and-runs • Burned plantations and sugar mills • Attacked Spanish supplies and railroads • Rebels hoped the mass destruction would get the Americans involved • Spanish send Cubans to “reconcentration camps” • Thousands die of starvation and disease

  8. American Response • Outrage at atrocities • President McKinley won’t risk American lives and damage economy • No intervention • Cuban riots in Havana • McKinley sent battleship U.S.S. Maine to evacuate Americans living there

  9. U.S.S. Maine Explosion • Unknown cause • Yellow Journalists blame the Spanish • “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” • Americans demand a declaration of war • Americans prepare for war • $50 million from Congress • Jingoism-aggressive nationalism • Democrats support war, Republicans fear election results if McKinley doesn’t declare war

  10. Spanish-American War Begins • Congress proclaims Cuba as independent nation • U.S. demands Spanish withdrawal from Cuba • McKinley authorized to use armed force against Spanish • Spain declares war on U.S. • U.S. declares war on Spain

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