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The Spanish American War

The Spanish American War. Beginning in 1898. Cuba – A Spanish Possession. Spain only had Guam, Cuba, Philippines, and a few outposts in Africa in 1825. 1854 – US diplomats suggested buying Cuba. Leading up to the War . 1868 – 1878, Cuba had first war for independence against Spain.

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The Spanish American War

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  1. The Spanish American War Beginning in 1898

  2. Cuba – A Spanish Possession • Spain only had Guam, Cuba, Philippines, and a few outposts in Africa in 1825. • 1854 – US diplomats suggested buying Cuba

  3. Leading up to the War • 1868 – 1878, Cuba had first war for independence against Spain. • Able to force Spain to end slavery, but no independence • US sympathetic, but did not intervene. • Americans began to invest $$$ in sugar plantations • Cuba’s economy depended on sugar, America was their biggest market.

  4. Second War for Independence • Jose Marti – Cuban in exile in NY organized a Cuba resistance in Spain. • Cubans deliberately damaged the island, especially American plantations • Hoped to provoke US to enter to free rebels. • Americans were split • Big Business – help Spain to protect business • Help the rebels to Freedom. “Cuba Libre”

  5. Violent Retaliation • Gen. Valeriano Weyler (“Butcher Weyler”) was sent by Spain to control order. • Created hastily prepared concentration camps, where they died by the thousands, victims of disease and malnutrition.

  6. Yellow Journalism • Yellow Journalism – a sensational shocking style of writing • 2 Newspaper Tycoons: Pulitzer vs. Hearst. • Competed for publications – wrote scandalous and exaggerated news. • When this news did not exist, they were not above creating it!

  7. Yellow Journalism • Cuban struggle as great opportunity to increase circulation, • Exaggerated their reports of Spanish atrocities against the Cuban rebels • Poisoned wells • Children thrown to sharks • Gained American Sympathy.

  8. “You furnish the picture, I’ll furnish the war.” William Randolph Hearst

  9. Events which brought America to War • Dupuy de Lome letter • Cuban agent in Havana stole a private letter written by Dupuy de Lome, the Spanish minister in Washington, and turned it over to the American press • Described McKinley as a “weak” and a “bidder for the admiration of the crowd.” • Many Americans felt this way, but created anger coming from a foreigner.

  10. Events which brought America to War 2. The Maine • USS Maine blew up in Spanish harbor with a loss of more than 260 people • Naval court found - external explosion by a submarine or mine had caused the disaster (blamed Spain) • War hysteria Swept the country.

  11. USS Maine

  12. The US Declares War • WAR HAWKS pushed for war, McKinley hesitant • McKinley gave Spain an ultimatum: • stop fighting • eliminate concentration camps • negotiate with the rebels • Spain did all but #3. This did not satisfy the War Hawks • April 25, 1898, McKinley and Congress declared war

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