Download THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
Why it Matters?
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American power & economic interests around the world were still growing.
Still, the United States remained reluctant to risk war.
In 1898, the U.S. went to war with Spain, as a result they required colonies and became a world
power.
Causes of the War
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Wanting freedom, Cubans repeatedly rebelled against Spain.
U.S. had invested millions in sugar cane plantations and other ventures.
Cuba lays just 90 miles off the coast of Florida.
Cubans Rebel Against Spanish Rule
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In 1895, Cuban patriot Jose Marti launched a war for independence from Spain.
“Cuba Libre!” (Free Cuba) – rebel fighters used guerilla tactics of hit-and-run raids against the
Spanish.
In response, Spanish General Valerino Weyler deprived the rebels of food & recruits.
General Valeriano Weyler
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Put the rural population into concentration camps where tens of thousands dies from disease and
starvation.
Many American favored the Cubans, shoe struggle for freedom & democracy reminded
Americans of their own revolutionary struggles.
The brutality of Spanish tactics intensified American affection and sympathy
The Yellow Press Inflames Opinion
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Joseph Pulitzer of the New York World and William Randolph Hearst of the New York Journal ran
sensationalist tales of Spanish atrocities. Both competed for readers with their stories
Yellow Journalism
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Their publications were called Yellow Press because they featured a popular comic-strip character
called The Yellow Kid.
Their stories exaggerated Spanish atrocities and compared Cuban rebels to the patriots of the
American Revolution.
Yellow Journalism – creating sensational stories, often without proof. Usually to gain more
attention/money
U.S. Response
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President William McKinley warned the Spanish to quickly establish peace or the U.S. would take
whatever steps it “should deem necessary to procure this result.”
McKinley ordered the battleship Maine to Havana harbor to protect American citizens in Cuba.
The De Lome Note
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Enrique Dupuy de Lome (Spanish Ambassador to Washington)– wrote a letter that accidentally
got into the hands of Hearst who published it.
The note ridiculed President McKinley, calling him weak. Seen as extremely insulting.
“Worst insult to the United States in its History.”
The Maine Blows Up
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Soon after the Journal published Maine exploded in Havana harbor.
266 of the 350 crew died.
The Yellow Press promptly accused Spain of blowing up the battleship.
“Remember the Maine”
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In newspapers, speeches and songs, patriotic Americans implored their fellow citizens to
“Remember the Maine.”
Spain agreed to abolish the concentration camps and make other concessions but it was a little too
late.
On April 11, 1898 – McKinley asked Congress for the authority to use force against Spain.
Spain Declares War
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Eight days later Congress enacted 4 resolutions.
The fourth resolution- the Teller Amendment – stipulated that the U.S. had no intention of
annexing Cuba.
The navy quickly blockaded Cuba and called in 100,000 volunteers to join army.
Spain declared war on the U.S.
American Troops Battle the Spanish
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Americans responded enthusiastically to the war.
200,000 men enlisted into the Army.
In May of 1898, Americans heard of a naval victory over the Spanish, however, this was in the
Pacific, not in Cuba.
Dewey Takes the Philippines
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May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey landed several naval ships into Manila Bay- a Spanish
possession.
Surprised by this move, the American fleet quickly defeated the unsuspecting Spanish.
There were no American casualties and up to 400 Spanish casualties.
Like the Cubans, Filipinos were fighting for their freedom as well.
Nationalist Emilio Aguinaldo was defeating Spanish troops on the Islands.
Soon Spanish troops surrendered to the United States
U.S. Forces Win in Cuba
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In June 1898, U.S. troops landed in Cuba.
Marines captured Guantanamo Bay and a force of 17,000 soldiers under General Shafter stormed
the beaches of Santiago.
The troops faced horrible conditions in Cuba. They were poorly trained and equipped.
General Shafter’s Army consisted of National Guard and regular units including AfricanAmerican Ninth & Tenth Calvary regiments.
The Rough Riders
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Another Calvary Unit was led by Theodore Roosevelt.
His “Rough Riders” consisted of rugged westerners and upper-class easterners who relished a
“strenuous life.”
San Juan Hill
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The Rough Riders & Roosevelt gained popularity in the battles for Kettle and San Juan hills
outside Santiago, Cuba
Joined by African-American from the 9th & 10th Cavalries, the Riders stormed up the hills to
secure high ground around Santiago.
Buffalo Soldiers – Black members of the army who fought at San Juan Hill.
Victory
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Two day after the battle of San Juan Hill, the Spanish Navy made a desperate attempt to escape
Santiago.
U.S. forces blockaded the harbor and destroyed the fleet.
Surrounded, outnumbered, and dispirited, the Spanish surrendered
3,000 American troops died in the war.
Only 380 in combat.
Disease (malaria & yellow fever) caused the most deaths.
“Splendid Little War”
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Treaty of Paris was signed in December of 1898.
Spain gave up control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Island of Guam.
It also sold the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million.
Effects of the War
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McKinley and many supporters felt it was only right to maintain control over the Philippines.
They argued that the U.S. had a responsibility to govern the Filipinos.
Anti-Imperialists like Williams Jennings Bryan and Mark Twain rejected this idea and formed the
Anti-Imperialist League.
The League condemned imperialism as a crime.
America Assumes New Role
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In 1900, William Jennings Bryan ran against William McKinley for President.
With McKinley, promoting Teddy Roosevelt as the “Hero of San Juan Hill” as his running mate &
emphasizing expansion, he easily won.
As a result of the Spanish American War, the United States had an empire & a new stature in the
World.
This marked the turning point in the history of American foreign policy.