Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War

What was going on around the world in the late 1800’s? • Imperialism: stronger countries attempt to create empires by dominating weaker nations • Nationalism: Devotion to one’s country • As many European nations were busy imperializing Asia and Africa, the US wanted in on the action

This was a change in US policy • In his Farewell Address in 1796, George Washington advised Americans to “steer clear of permanent alliances,” as they may cause war

Monroe Doctrine • Throughout the early years of the US, the Monroe Doctrine was the main foreign policy of the US • The Monroe Doctrine warned other countries to stay out of affairs in the Western Hemisphere (the US would handle everything in the Western Hemisphere)

1.)the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War 2.)the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 The first imperialistic ventures for the US

“Seward’s Folly:” the purchase of Alaska • Many Americans thought buying Alaska was silly because there was nothing there but ice and caribou • As we know today, Alaska is the greatest source of oil in the US • Alaska is also a vital strategic point against Russia

The US also became interested in Japan • 1853: Commodore Matthew Perry sailed to Japan and began forcing the Japanese to trade with the US

Many Americans supported imperialism because it was good for the US economy • 1. America, alone, could not consume all of the goods we produce • 2. Therefore, the US had to find “new markets” • 3. Some Americans began investing in foreign economies and began having influence in those countries

Minor C. Keith • Provided financial services for the Costa Rican government • The Costa Rican government gave Keith land and access to a railroad • Keith began the United Fruit Company, which exported 50 billion bananas to the US each year

Central American countries that were influenced by the US Costa Rica Guatemala Honduras Banana Republics

As more Americans wanted a stronger Navy… • Admiral Alfred T Mahan wrote a book called The Influence of Sea Power Upon History • Admiral Mahan argued that our economic future depended upon the building of a new and modern navy • Congress approved the building two new battleships (USS Maine)

Finally, some people argued that expansion was an “American thing to do” • Social Darwinism: the US should expand for noble reasons and to spread Christianity to non-Christian parts of the world • Famous Social Darwinists: Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Theodore Roosevelt

The US began using its new military power in 1895 • The US and Britain got into a conflict over British involvement in Venezuela • The US demanded that the British respect the Monroe Doctrine • The US wanted arbitration (the settlement of a dispute by a person or panel chosen to listen to both sides and come to a decision)

The British refused to the arbitration • However, they backed down because the British realized that they needed to stay friendly with the US (remember Germany was become more powerful)

The British backed down • The British realized that they needed to remain friendly with the US (remember, Germany was becoming more powerful)

the Cubans had rebelled several times in the 1800’s • The Cubans had always failed • They tried to rebel again in 1895 after their economy collapsed

American newspapers saw Cuba as an opportunity to sell newspapers • William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) and Joseph Pulitzer (New York World) placed the Cuban conflict on the front page of their newspapers

Yellow Journalism: whipped up American public opinion on a particular topic • The American media referred to Weyler as a “butcher” • Jingoism: the desire for an aggressive foreign policy

Three events caused the start of the Spanish-American War • 1.)de Lome Letter • 2)USS Maine • 3.)Philippines

De Lome Letter • Spanish Ambassador Dupuy de Lome apparently wrote a letter calling President McKinley “weak” and a “bidder for the admiration of the crowd” • Many Americans were upset with this letter because they did not like a foreigner ridiculing the President of the United State • Was this letter ever really written?

USS Maine • President McKinley sent the USS Maine to Cuba in February 1898 • The USS Maine blew up off the coast of Cuba, killing 250 American sailors • The American media blamed Spain (Remember the Maine and to hell with Spain”) • This was probably an accident

Meanwhile, in the Philippines: • The Filipino people were revolting against the Spanish as well • Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, told all naval officers to be ready for war • President McKinley was not happy and forced Roosevelt to reign from his job

However, • Admiral George Dewey was told to attack the Spanish in the Philippines if a war broke out

The first battle of the Spanish-American War took place in the Philippines • Admiral George Dewey was able to sink all of the Spanish ships within a few hours • The American navy in Cuba blockaded the Spanish navy

Rough Riders • A volunteer army led by Theodore Roosevelt • The Rough Riders defeated the Spanish in a famous battle up San Juan Hill • Eventually, on July 3, 1898, the American navy sunk every Spanish ship in Cuba

American causalities: • 2,500 Americans died, mostly from yellow fever, malaria, etc. • Future Secretary of State John Hay called the Spanish-American a “Splendid little war”

Treaty of Paris • Spain recognizes Cuban independence • The US pays $20 million for the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam

The US relationship with Puerto Rico went more smoothly • Foraker Act: the US removed its military government and established a civil government in Puerto Rico • The US government gave the people of Puerto Rico US citizenship

As the US was fighting the S-A War, it was also gaining Hawaii • Some wealthy Americans had owned land in Hawaii • On that land, they grew sugar, which was sold in the US tax free • The US also leased Pearl Harbor as a place to fuel and repair ships

The American planters: • Forced Hawaiian King Kalakaua to accept a new Hawaiian constitution stating that only land owners can vote • When King Kalakaua died, his sister, Queen Lil took over • Queen Lil tried to stop the power of the US landowners

As a response to Queen Lil… • The US Marines went in to Hawaii and removed Queen Lil from power • Sanford Dole became the political leader of Hawaii and asked the US to annex Hawaii • Congress approved Hawaiian annexation in 1898

The next major issue became China • Most European countries were also interested in China • There were so many people living in China, so there could be a huge market for American goods

The US and the European powers agreed to: • Spheres of influence: areas of economic and political control in China • Basically, all of the countries were going to “share” China

US Secretary of State John Hay wanted to keep China “open” • Open Door Policy: the US would have equal access to China’s millions of consumers • No country would become dominate in China

Panama Canal • Many countries wanted a canal built to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans • Panama was selected as the location because of its easy access to both oceans • In 1879, the French purchased a concession from Colombia (concession: a grant for a piece of land in exchange for a promise to use that land for a specific purpose)

Problems with the building of the Canal: • The French mismanaged the project • Also, many workers became sick from yellow fever

As the French backed off the project: • The US paid $40 million for the rights to build the Panama Canal • Colombia, however, was not happy with this arrangement because they made their concession with France, not the US • President Roosevelt felt the Colombians were trying to “rob” the US

As a result: • The US encouraged the Panamanians to revolt and gain independence from Colombia • President Roosevelt sent US warships off the coast of Panama to act as support for the Panamanian revolt • Panama gained its independence

Hay- Bunau-Varilla Treaty • The US gains the 10 mile strip where the Panama Canal was being built • The US pays Panama $10 milliom

Panama Canal • The US built the Canal $23 million under budget and six months early

Spanish-American War