The Spanish-American War

1. The Spanish-American War • Causes • Rebellion in Cuba • Cuba had been a $50 million investment by Americans for its sugarcane • When Cubans (led by Jose Marti rebelled against Spanish rule in 1895, they used guerrilla tactics to inflict massive damage to Spanish forces • In response, the Spanish created large reconcentration camps for tens of thousands of Cubans died from disease and starvation • Many Americans supported the Cubans because of the human rights violations AND to protect economic interests

4. The Spanish-American War • Causes: • Yellow Press: newspapers that used sensationalist headlines and exaggerated stories in order to gain readers • Joseph Pulitzer (New York World) and William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) used pictures and exaggerated headlines to sell papers • In 1898, the Journal published a letter from a Spanish ambassador that called President McKinley a “weak and stupid politician” calling it the “Worst Insult to the United States in Its History” • Jingoism: aggressive nationalism

5. The Spanish-American War • Causes: • McKinley warned Spain to establish peace or the US would be forced to intervene • To prove his point, McKinley ordered a battleship (the USS Maine) to Havana harbor as a show of force • On January 25, 1898, the USS Maine blew up, killing 266 of the 350 members of the crew • Immediately, the Yellow Press accused Spain of the destruction, calling for all out war • One problem: there was no conclusive evidence that Spain had anything to do with the Maine

9. The Spanish-American War • Causes: • Due to pressures from Americans who called for war, Spain agreed to certain demands such as the closure of reconcentration camps • McKinley asked Congress for authority to use force. 8 days later, Congress passed 4 resolutions that amounted to a declaration of war • US Navy quickly blockaded Cuban ports and the president called for 100,000 volunteers • As a result, Spain declared war on the United States

11. The Spanish-American War • War in the Pacific • Commodore George Dewey led a large squadron of American ships into Manila Bay (Philippines) and conducted a surprise attack on the Spanish • No American deaths in the battle; 400 Spanish killed • Filipinos, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, rebelled against the Spanish army at the same time • August, 1898, Spanish troops surrendered

14. The Spanish-American War • War in Cuba • American troops landed in Cuba in June, 1898 excited for war • The Spanish army, while formidable, was not their only obstacle: • American troops were poorly trained and supplied • Improperly dressed for the harsh tropical climate • Fed rotten or contaminated food to save money

15. The Spanish-American War • War in Cuba • American Army consisted of regular units, National Guard, and cavalry units • Rough Riders: • Led by Theodore Roosevelt • Rugged Westerners and Upper-Class Easterner that embraced the “strenuous life” • Helped the US win the Battle of San Juan Hill

17. The Spanish-American War • War in Cuba • After defeat at San Juan, the Spanish navy in Santiago desperately tried to escape the Island • They were destroyed by the American Navy • Eventually, Spain surrendered Cuba • Americans took possession of Spanish-controlled Puerto Rico and the war came to an end

19. The Spanish-American War • Effects of the War • Treaty of Paris: • Signed in December, 1898 • Spain gave up control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam • Spain sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million

20. The Spanish-American War • Effects of the War • When the US went to war with Spain, Congress passed the Teller Amendment, which prevented the US from taking control of Cuba • The Philippines, however, were not under the same deal • Pro- if the US didn’t control the Philippines, someone else would • Con- Imperialism goes against what our government stood for

21. The Spanish-American War • Effects of the War • Debate over the Philippines (and Imperialism as a whole) almost prevented the US from signing the Treaty of Paris • The population showed their preference: McKinley (Imperialist) defeated William Jennings Bryan (Anti-Imperialist) • Changed American’s foreign policy