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Activities: Guided Reading/Creative Learners Spanish-American War 1898 The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain. It started with the Wilson-Gorman Tariff in 1894. The tariff limited the amount of sugar products that could go to America. It hurt the economy of Cuba, which was a Spanish colony. Cuba was a major producer of sugar. Now it was difficult for the United States to import sugar. Cuba began to have too much sugar, and it began to lose money. Angered by this, the Cubans began to revolt against the Spanish government. The rebels were called the “insurrectos.” Spain sent in its army, which was led by General Valeriano Weyler. He was known to be ruthless and was nicknamed “The Butcher.” Weyler imprisoned many of the Cuban rebels. The United States had investments in Cuba and became upset by this situation. Newspapers wrote stories that sensationalized Spanish military tactics. The newspapers inflamed the American public’s desire for war. Some American businessmen with commercial interests in Cuba also pressed for war. President Grover Cleveland opposed the Spanish actions in Cuba but did not want to go to war. CICERO © 2010 1 Activities: Guided Reading/Creative Learners In 1898 William McKinley became President of the United States. He also did not want to go to war. The United States sent the USS Maine to Cuba. The ship was there to protect United States citizens from the fighting. The Maine suffered an explosion on February 15. American newspaper writers claimed Spain caused it with an underwater mine. The case was investigated, but there was no proof of the newspapers’ claims. Many years later the explosion was proven to be an accident, and Spain was not involved. Nevertheless, McKinley declared war on Spain; and Spain declared war on the United States. There were people who thought the United States wanted to take over Cuba. They thought that was the only reason for the war. America passed the Teller Amendment, which stated Cuba would be free after the war. However, there would be limits to that freedom. General William Shafter led the United States Army. The army was not well prepared, but it fought hard. Theodore Roosevelt led a famous volunteer regiment called the “Rough Riders.” Roosevelt was a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and left his job to lead the Rough Riders. Together with an African-American regiment, they defeated the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Hill. In a few weeks, the Americans defeated the Spanish forces in Cuba. The war was fought in other places. Commodore George Dewey led a naval attack at Manila Bay in the Spanish colony of the Philippines. Dewey’s fleet defeated the Spanish navy. Rebels in the Philippines were already fighting the Spanish. They wanted independence from Spanish rule. Dewey wanted more American forces brought to the Philippines. Soon American troops arrived, and they conquered the Spanish forces there. The Filipino rebels did not want Americans to rule their country, and the rebels fought the Americans for three more years. Afterward, American forces conquered the Philippines. Leaders from America and Spain soon met to end the war. They signed the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. Cuba was now free, but under great United States influence. The United States took control of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. CICERO © 2010 2 Activities: Guided Reading/Creative Learners Name: ________________________________ Date: ____________________ Spanish-American War 1898 Discussion Questions: 1. What did the Wilson-Gorman Tariff do? 2. What were the Cuban rebels called? 3. Who did many Americans think blew up the USS Maine? 4. What other Spanish colonies did the United States acquire in the SpanishAmerican War? 5. What treaty ended the Spanish-American War? CICERO © 2010 3