Transcript Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War
Cubans did not like being under
Spanish rule so many people revolted.
To stop the revolt Spain imprisoned
hundreds of thousands of people.
Americans were displeased with how
Cubans were being treated and were
worried about American owned
businesses in Cuba.
President William McKinley sent the
USS Maine to Cuba’s Havana Harbor to
protect the lives and property of
Americans in Cuba.
One night a huge explosion destroyed
the Maine, killing 260 Americans.
Newspapers reported that Spain
caused the explosion. Which was
probably not true.
Newspapers published many
exaggerated articles about how the
Spaniards treated Cubans. People
were calling for action crying
“Remember the Maine!”
Congress declared war and the
Spanish-American war began.
Nearly one million Americans
volunteered to fight. Theodore
Roosevelt left his job as secretary of
the navy and organized a group called
the Rough Riders. The Rough Riders
were a group of fighting cowboys,
Native Americans, college athletes, and
wealthy New Yorkers.
Also chosen to fight were experienced
African American soldiers known as
Buffalo Soldiers.
The Americans defeated the Spanish at
the Battle of San Juan Hill and
American ships destroyed the Spanish
fleet in Cuba.
As a result of the Spanish-American
war the United States gained control of
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the
Philippines. Cuba gained
independence, but were under
American protection for a few years.
With the swift victory the United States
showed that it was a world power and
one of the most powerful nations in
the world.