Download Americans protecting their economic interests

Background:
Who: Spain vs. America
• Where: Philippines, Cuba (Spain’s Colonies)
• In the 1800s, the USA wanted to increase its
influence in Latin America by increasing the sale of
American Products in the region.
• Americans wanted Europeans to realize that the
USA was the dominant power in the region.
Spanish-American
War
IMPERIALISM:
• The forceful extension
of a nation's authority
by territorial
“takeover”.
• Established economic
and political
domination.
THE 2 W’s
What: Many of Cuba’s sugar plantations
were owned by Americans
WHY: Americans protecting their
economic interests
Sinking of the Maine in Havana Harbor
1 W and an H
What:
•USS Maine explodes in Havana, Cuba
•Most Americans believe it was Spain’s fault
How did it lead to war:
• “Spark” that started the war in 1898
Remember the Maine
and to Hell with Spain!
Funeral for Maine
victims in Havana
Alfred T. Mahan
• Leading naval
planner
• Writer of the famous
book, The Influence
of Sea power upon
History (1890)
• He passionately
argued that “the key
to imperial power was
control of the seas.”
•RESULTS OF THE
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
United States emerged as a world power
Cuba gained independence from Spain
U.S. got possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico
THE PANAMA CANAL
• Greatly reduce travel times for trading and
military ships by providing a short cut
between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
• The construction of the Panama Canal
involved overcoming geographic obstacles
such as rocky & unstable terrain &
mosquito-infested swamps.
“The shortcut”
1. The American battleship Maine blew up in a
Havana harbor in 1898, started the war.
2. Initiated U.S. propaganda “Remember the
Maine” inspiring support for U.S. revenge on
Spain.
3. War ends in 1898, United States became a
WORLD POWER!
4. EXPANDED to new overseas territory
5. Panama Canal was created.