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THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (April-August 1898). The United States Becomes A World Power. “A splendid little war” Secretary of State John Hay. CAUSES. Monroe Doctrine Keep European influences out of our hemisphere American Imperialism Enhance American Empire (Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines)
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THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (April-August 1898) The United States Becomes A World Power “A splendid little war” Secretary of State John Hay
CAUSES • Monroe Doctrine • Keep European influences out of our hemisphere • American Imperialism • Enhance American Empire (Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines) • Yellow Journalism • Sensationalized media used specifically to instigate pro-American feelings and stir up support for war
BEGINNINGS • Cuba • Owned by Spain • Spanish empire declining • U.S. trading partner • $100M per year • Cubans trying to gain independence • 1860’s failed • Try again in 1890’s
THE CUBAN INSURRECTION • Cuba has small army • Uses guerrilla warfare • Burn sugar fields • General Valeriano Weyler • Sets up concentration camps • All “non-combatants” • Famine, disease • American opinion of Spanish actions is low • American press sends reporters to Cuba to investigate
THINK OUT LOUD • Why would the U.S. be concerned with what was happening in Cuba? • What would the U.S. have to gain?
AMERICA GETS INVOLVED • William Randolph Hearst & Joseph Pulitzer • Circulation war between their two competing newspapers • Hearst=New York Journal • Pulitzer=New York World • NEED to sell newspapers • What kind of news sells? • Spanish Oppression of Cubans • “Yellow Journalism” • Give the public what they want, sensationalize it • Money and entertainment • Remington (artist) • Evangelina Cisneros (niece of a rebel leader)
“REMEMBER THE MAINE” • Maine sent down as a “goodwill mission” • Intimidate • Anchored in Port of Havana • Feb. 1898 Maine mysteriously blows up • 260 Americans killed • War doesn’t start immediately
THINK OUT LOUD • Can you think of another event where the U.S. was attacked and it started a war? • How ‘should’ the U.S. respond to attacks like this?
WHO DONE IT? • Newspapers (“Yellow Journalism”) • Blame Spanish--”Remember The Maine…To Hell With Spain” • Spanish don’t want war • U.S. makes demands to get rid of Weyler and end concentration camps (March 1898) • Spanish comply with EVERYTHING except independence for Cuba • Found out later that it was a boiler that exploded • Truth mattered little--most Americans want war
THINK OUT LOUD • Write your OWN (YELLOW JOURNALISM) headline about the Terror Attack on 9-11-01.
DE’LOME LETTER • De’Lome Spanish embassador (D.C.) • Writes a personal letter to friend in Cuba • Letter is intercepted and finds its way to front page of Hearst’s paper • Letter blasts McKinley • Criticizes America • Last straw • War declared April 1898 • Teller Amendment • U.S. will not take Cuba
WAR BEGINS • Teddy Roosevelt= Asst. Sec. Of Navy • TR cables China and tells Admiral Dewey to attack Spanish fleet in Philippines • This is where war actually starts (Battle of Manila Bay) • “You may fire when ready, Gridley” Admiral Dewey • Spanish lose 400+ men (we lose 2)
THINK OUT LOUD • Talk to your neighbor and compare the American “body count” during the Battle of Manila and the War in Iraq.
WAR IN CUBA • Over in 10 weeks • Men form their own regiments • “Rough Riders” formed by Teddy Roosevelt • Cowboys, a sheriff, Indian fighters, ex-cons, polo players, football players • Have to get to Tampa Bay where boats leave • Land, wander around looking for Spanish • Battle of San Juan Hill • American victory
RESULTS OF THE WAR • U.S. acquires Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines • Philippines cost $20 million • Hawaii • We don’t get it from the Spanish but it is annexed as a result of the war • Platt Amendment • Give Cuba its independence • Cuba not allowed to make treaties that would compromise their independence