The War of 1898

1. The War of 1898 “That Splendid Little War”

2. Focus Question • In a short response of 1 to 3 sentences, answer the following question: When, if ever, should the United States get involved in the internal problems of another country?

3. U.S. History Objectives After today’s lesson, you will: • Outline the factors bringing the United States into the war with Spain. • Discuss and debate the rationale for U.S. entry into the War.

4. The War of 1898 • The War of 1898 was America’s first imperialist war • Fought over territories in the Caribbean and Pacific • Stress placed on the four main arguments for Imperialism • Revolved around matters in Cuba • Fought in both Caribbean and Pacific • Involved numerous nations

5. Second Cuban War for Independence • Cuban Rebels rose in revolt in 1895 • Multiracial force • Led by officers from the Ten Years’ War • Sought to gain independence for Cuba • Spain offered limited autonomy • Sent ValerianoWeyler as Military Governor

6. Role of the Yellow Press • Inexpensive, sensationalized newspapers • Pioneered by William Randolph Hearst • Saw a war as a way to sell papers • Focused sympathy for the Cuban people in the Cuban War for Independence

7. Spanish Atrocities • Cuban rebels quickly seized the countryside • Governor Weyler responded brutally • Periodic executions • Mass exiles • Destroy plantations

8. Reconcentration Camps • Weyler ordered peasants collected into camps • Remove support from rebels • Keep an eye on suspected rebels • Disastrous policy • Poor sanitation and medical facilities • Lack of food • Wiped out 1/3 of Cuba’s rural population

9. Policy shocked Americans • Incredible sympathy for the Cuban people • Belief that Spanish were fiendishly cruel

10. Trifecta • U.S. long-term interest in Cuba • U.S. business investment in Cuba • Public opinion highly sympathetic to the Cubans • All that was needed was a spark

11. The Sinking of the Maine • The U.S. battleship Maine exploded in the harbor of Havana on February 15, 1898 • Public opinion blamed the Spanish for “mining” the Maine

12. War!! • Congress declared War on Spain on April 25, 1898 • Sought to “secure peace in Cuba” • War ends in August 1898 • Treaty of Paris, 1898 • Cuba granted independence • U.S. gains Puerto Rico and Guam • U.S. paid Spain $25 million for the Philippines

13. Summary • In a short response of one to two sentences, explain what was the most important thing learned in class today.