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Spanish American War

Spanish American War. Steps to U.S. Involvement. American interest in Cuba. Geographic Location (90 mi. south of FL) Panama Canal a possibility Spanish Colony – too close for comfort Business Investments Large sugar cane plantations ($50 mil. – 1895). Cubans Rebel Against Spain.

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Spanish American War

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  1. Spanish American War Steps to U.S. Involvement

  2. American interest in Cuba • Geographic Location (90 mi. south of FL) • Panama Canal a possibility • Spanish Colony – too close for comfort • Business Investments • Large sugar cane plantations ($50 mil. – 1895)

  3. Cubans Rebel Against Spain • 1st revolt (1868-1878) – unsuccessful • Spanish Gov’t in Cuba • Corrupt, no reforms, no self-gov’t for Cuba • 2nd Revolt led to War for Independence (1895) • Jose Marti – organized Cuban resistance • “Cuba Libre!” – Free Cuba • Guerilla campaign • Hit & run, scorched earth policy – Destroyed American-owned sugar mills & plantations • Hoped to provoke US into intervening to help the rebels

  4. Second War for Independence • Spanish Response • Send 200,000 troops & General Weyler “The Butcher” to crush rebellion • Atrocities against Cuban people • Put peasants in concentration camps • Kill crops, animals & people

  5. American Public Opinion • Originally split between: • Supporting rebels in fight for freedom • Supporting Spain to protect business investments • Headline Wars • William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) • Joseph Pulitzer (New York World) • Rally support for war William Randolph Hearst Joseph Pulitzer

  6. American Public Opinion Hearst to Frederick Remington:“Please remain. You’ll furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war!” • Yellow Journalism • Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers. • Jingoism • Intense burst of national pride & aggressive foreign policy

  7. The De lome Letter • President McKinley tried to avoid interventionism • He got Spain to recall Weyler & modifiy concentration camp policy • NY Journal published private letter from Spanish ambassador to US criticizing McKinley • Americans angry over insult to President • De Lome Letter thwarted progress by McKinley “…shows what McKinley is, weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd, besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave a door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party.” ~ De Lome Letter

  8. USS Maine • McKinley sends USS Maine into Havana Harbor • Evacuate US citizens if needed (riots) • February 15, 1898 • Maine explodes in harbor • 260 Americans killed • Press blames Spanish sabotage

  9. America Enters the War • “Yellow Press” continue to whip up anti-Spanish hysteria • April 20, 1898 • US demands that Spain withdraws • Authorized President to take military action necessary • Teller Amendment – guaranteed US would not annex Cuba • April 25, 1898 • 25th – • Spain declares war on US • US declares war on Spain

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