Transcript The Spanish American War 1898

The
Spanish-American War
1898
Spanish American War- 1898
An armed military conflict between Spain
and the United States that took place from
April to August 1898.
The war began due to American demands that Spain
peacefully resolve the Cuban fight for
independence. However, strong expansionist
sentiment in the United States may have also made
the US target Spain's other remaining overseas
territories: Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam and
the Caroline Islands.
A. Causes of American involvement…
1. Cuban Revolution/ Spanish
mistreatment of Cubans,
Americans- Cuba’s fight for freedom from
Spanish oppression led to harsher rule by the
Spanish in Cuba.
** Reported atrocities
angered many Americans!
- Spanish ruler put Cubans
into “concentration-like
camps” b/c he couldn’t tell
the difference b/t civilians
and rebels.
- 400,000 Cubans die
from disease and starvation.
Weyler’s Rule
Spanish American War Cartoon Analysis
2. De Lome Letter- The Spanish
Ambassador to the US wrote a letter
that criticized Pres. McKinley.
- Leaked to US press
- Gave de Lome a bad name- forced
the removal of him from his post.
"...McKinley is weak and
catering to the rabble and,
besides, a low politician
who
desires to leave a door open
to himself and to stand well
3. Yellow Journalism: Newspapers like the
New York Journal and the New York
World relied on sensationalist
headlines to sell newspapers- the Cuban
Revolution was an excellent chance to
sell papers…remember:
“Everything is quiet. There is no
trouble. There will be no war. I wish to
return.”
“Please remain. You furnish the
pictures, I’ll furnish the war.”
“Yellow Journalism” & Jingoism
Joseph Pulitzer
Hearst to Frederick Remington:
You furnish the pictures,
William Randolph Hearst
and I’ll furnish the war!
4. Explosion of the USS Maine (Feb
15, 1898): An American battleship
exploded in Havana Harbor (while
protecting US interests in Cuba).
Spanish were blamed.
-
Caused outrage in the U.S. and helped lead
America into Cuba’s revolution against Spain.
Killed 266 crewmen
Later determined an accidental fire caused
explosion
Focused national attention on the crisis in Cuba
Rallying cry for the war:
“Remember
the Maine!”
Why is Cuba so Important to US?
B. American Demands
1. Spain must resolve the Cuban fight
peacefully.
2. Ulterior motive? Expansionist
sentiment: U.S. citizens may have also
motivated the gov’t to target Spain’s
other territories: Puerto Rico, Guam,
and the Philippines
II. March 29, 1898
The United States Government issued an ultimatum to
the Spanish Government to terminate its presence
in Cuba. Spain did not accept the ultimatum.
III. April 4, 1898
The New York Journal
issued a million copy press run dedicated to the
war in Cuba. The newspaper called for the
immediate U.S. entry into war with Spain.
Yellow Journalism
C. Timeline of the War
1. April 11, 1898- McKinley asks
Congress to intervene in Cuba
“in the name of humanity , in
the name of civilization, and
in behalf of endangered
American interests….”
2. April 20, 1898- US
passes the Teller
Amendment
* Teller Amendment:
the U.S. will not take
political control of
Cuba, who should be
independent.
3. April 25, 1898- US
declares war on
Spain. McKinley
ordered a Blockade
of Cuba
Spain also
owns territory
in Pacific… a
good place for
our “land
birds” to land
on!!
4. May 1, 1898- Battle of Manila Bay
(Philippines)
- US Commodore George Dewey and
his men sailed from China & ordered “Fire
when ready” at first light
- Victory made Dewey a great war hero
- brought Philippines under US control
5. July 1, 1898- Battle of San
Juan Hill
- Most famous battle of the war
- Victory is credited to Teddy
Roosevelt and the Rough
Riders
- Lt. Col T. Roosevelt had
resigned as Assistant Secretary
to the navy and gathered a group
of college athletes, cowboys,
American Indians, and ranchers
to form the Rough Riders.
- Their horses had not been
shipped to Cuba, so this group
stormed San Juan Hill (in
Santiago) and claimed
victory!
The
“Rough
Riders”
Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough
Riders at San Juan Hill
6.
July 3, 1898- the naval Battle of
Santiago (Cuba)
- The American Navy’s defeat of the Spanish
battle fleet marked the end of centuries-long
Spanish power in the western hemisphere.
- almost 350 Spanish deaths / 1 dead American
- Spain surrendered
7. December 10, 1898-Treaty of Paris
ended war b/w Spain and US
Representatives signed the peace treaty
in Paris, France.
Effects:
What did America gain? Puerto Rico and
Guam; also bought the Philippine
Islands from Spain for $20,000,000
Cuba: Spain allowed an independent Cuba.
D. Additional IMPORTANT
Information
1. Nicknamed “A Splendid Little
War”
2. Most US soldier deaths were due
to food-poisoning and disease.
3. Marks U.S. as an
Imperialistic nation.