Download The Spanish - American War?

The Spanish-American War
1898
The Spanish-American War
1898
• The Spanish American War was a conflict between
Spain and the United States of America that took
place from April to August in 1898 over the issue of
liberation in Cuba.
Background Info
• Until the American Civil
War, Americans had
hoped to acquire Cuba.
• After the Civil War
interest in Annexation
dwindled but Americans
continued to be
displeased with Spanish
misrule.
• A series of uprisings
took place, the worse of
which occurred in 1895
after a bad depression
that threatened to go on
endlessly.
American Intervention
• Nether the Rebels or the Spanish
forces were strong enough to win.
• Many Newspapers reported outlandish
and exaggerated reports of Spanish
oppression in Cuba.
• Thus, many Americans started to
demand American intervention.
• President McKinley tried to pressure
Spain into offering Cuba limited Self
Government, but the Rebels wanted
nothing less than full independence
and fighting continued.
The U.S.S Maine
• The U.S.S. Maine was
one of America’s First
battleships and cost
over 2 million dollars to
build!
• It was sent to Havana,
Cuba after riots broke
out there to protect
American interests and
Americans.
The U.S.S Maine
• While in Havana, on
February 15, 1898, the
U.S.S. Maine sank due
to an explosion
• When it exploded 266
0f 354 crew members
were killed.
• Americans were
shocked!
The U.S.S Maine
• An official investigation
was conducted and it
was determined that the
Maine exploded
because of a mine.
• Who was to blame?
Spain, Cuba, an
accident?
• Many people blamed
Spain.
The U.S.S. Maine
• Today however,
many historians
believe that it was a
malfunction in the
ship that caused the
explosion.
• But, the relationship
between the United
States and Spain
became so tense that
discussion and
negotiations were no
longer possible.
NEWSPAPERS DEMAND
REVENGE
• Two New York newspapers, the Journal
and the World, were competing for
readers, and this incident will provide
sensational headlines
• Using a tactic called “Yellow Journalism”
these papers hired writers and artists to
distort and exaggerate the news, and call
for war against Spain
The United States goes to
War
• The U.S.S. Maine
was not the cause of
the War, but
“Remember the
Maine” became a
popular slogan.
• On April 28, 1898,
America declared
war with Spain
Important Events: Manila Bay
• The first major battle of the War
took place in the Philippines.
• Six ships under Commodore
George Dewey sailed from Hong
Kong to Manila Bay on May 1,
1898.
• It destroyed the entire Spanish
fleet (10 vessels) without the loss
of American life or damage to
American vessels.
• Then, Dewey blockaded Manila
harbor while he waited for
American troops to arrive.
Important Events: Land Battles
• On June 22, 1898 Major
General William R. Shafter
landed 15,000 troops near
Santiago, Cuba
• American forces suffered
almost two thousand
casualties, not only from
Spanish fire, but also from
heat exhaustion and
mosquito born diseases.
Important Events: Land Battles
• Both black and white Americans fought in the
campaign.
• First Lieutenant John J. Pershing wrote: “White
Regiments, black regiments…fought shoulder to
shoulder, unmindful of race and color…and mindful
only of their common duty as Americans.”
Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough
Riders
• Before becoming
President of the United
States, Teddy
Roosevelt was
Assistant Secretary of
the Navy.
• He resigned to organize
the Rough Riders, the
first volunteer cavalry in
the Spanish American
War.
The Rough Riders
• The unit was made up
of miners, cowboys, law
enforcement and Native
Americans.
• The Rough Riders
participated in the
capture of Kettle Hill
and then charged
across a valley to aid in
the seizure of San Juan
Hill.
Important Events: Land
Battles
• In panic, Spanish ships fled the port of
Santiago under Admiral Cervera.
• American fleets pursued and sank or forced
the ships to beach thus gaining control of the
seas surrounding Cuba.
• This prevented re-supply of Spanish forces
and allowed more American troops to safely
land more military forces.
• Within a month, most of the island was in
U.S. or Cuban hands.
Several things happen at
Once
• After days of negotiations, Spanish
forces Surrendered Cuba on July 17.
• The United States entered and took
Control of Puerto Rico with almost no
Spanish opposition.
• On August 13, American forces landed
and occupied Manila, Philippines
The Results
• On December 10, 1898 in the Treaty of
Paris Spain granted Cuba its freedom.
• It ceded Guam, Puerto Rico and the
Philippines to the United States.
• The United States in turn, paid 20
million dollars for the Philippine Islands
The Results
• It marked the end of the Spanish Empire.
• It marked the beginning of the United
States as a World Power.
The Results: Anti-Imperialism
• Many people did not
like America’s new
position as a
colonial power.
• They did not like the
idea of holding
people by force OR
risking becoming
involved in further
wars.