Download spanish american war

Document 1
Context: Experts consider the Spanish-American War to be the first "media war". This conflict was widely
covered by the USA newspapers. The press barons Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, had an
important role in the development of the conflict. The way they presented the news contributed to the public
opinion in the USA and created the propitious conditions for war. Their newspapers, The New York World and
The New York Journal, competed in sensationalism and are considered to be some of the first examples of
yellow journalism.
1. Based on the document above, what claim could be made about the Spanish American War?
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2. What evidence did you use from the document, context and/or sourcing to make this claim?
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Document 2
Context: The USS Maine, a second class battleship built between 1888 and 1895, was sent to Havana, Cuba in
January 1898 to protect American interests during the long-standing revolt of the Cubans against the Spanish
government. In the evening of February 15, 1898, Maine sank when her forward gunpowder magazines
exploded. Nearly three quarters of the battleship’s crew died as a result of the explosion. Many Americans
blamed the Spanish for the explosion and war began a few months later.
1. Based on the document above, what claim could be made about the Spanish American War?
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2. What evidence did you use from the document, context and/or sourcing to make this claim?
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Document 3
Context: Starting in 1896, William Randolph Hearst, publisher of the New York Journal and several other
newspapers., openly declared his support for the Cuban rebels. He refused to publish stories that were favorable
to the Spanish. The two stories below were published in other papers owned by Hearst, several days before the
explosion of the U.S.S. Maine.
"Washington, Feb. 9 -- Oratory in behalf of the Cuban insurgents occupied three
hours time of the Senate to-day. Elaborate speeches were delivered by Cannon, of
Utah, and Mason, of Illinois, in advocation of the resolution they introduced
yesterday calling upon the President to bring the Cuban war to a close.”
As if to further illustrate the rising tensions, on Feb. 10 the Examiner ran a brief
front page story headlined, "Porto Rico the point of attack." The article said "It is
understood that in case of war with Spain the Administration's military and naval
programme includes the immediate seizure of Porto (sic) Rico, as well as the
investment of Cuba. Believing the war would be an extremely short one, it would
be advisable that Porto Rico should be held ... in order to completely dispose of
Spanish title possessions in the Western Hemisphere."
1. Based on the document above, what claim could be made about the Spanish American War?
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2. What evidence did you use from the document, context and/or sourcing to make this claim?
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Document 4
Context: Enrique Dupuy De Lôme was the Spanish diplomat in charge of Cuban Affairs at the Spanish
Embassy in Washington, D.C. in 1898, De Lôme wrote a letter to a Spanish official in Havana that was intended
to be private. The letter was intercepted by Cuban rebels, and released to William Randolph Hearst’s newspaper,
The New York Journal. In the letter, De Lôme was critical and degraded U.S. President, William McKinley. The
letter was published just 6 days before the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine. Below are excerpts from this letter.
“Eximo Señor Don Jose Canalejas: My Distinguished and Dear Friend...
…Mckinley is: weak and catering to the rabble, and, besides, a low politician, who
desires to leave a door open to me and to stand well with the jingoes of his party.”
1. Based on the document above, what claim could be made about the Spanish American War?
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2. What evidence did you use from the document, context and/or sourcing to make this claim?
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Document 6
Context: On December 2, 1823, President James Monroe issued his seventh State of the Union Address to
Congress. In that address he emphasized that from that date forward, the United States would no longer accept
further European colonization in or interference with the newly independent nations of the Americas. He also
pointed out that the United States planned to stay neutral in wars between European nations and their colonies.
In this speech, he outlined how the United States would view any such actions by a European power.
“...as a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States are
involved, that the American continents, by the free and independent condition
which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as
subjects for future colonization by any European powers... We owe it, therefore,
to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and
those powers (European nations) to declare that we should consider any attempt
on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as
dangerous to our peace and safety... It is only when our rights are invaded or
seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense.
Source: President James Monroe’s seventh State of the Union Address December
2, 1823
1. Based on the document above, what claim could be made about the Spanish American War?
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2. What evidence did you use from the document, context and/or sourcing to make this claim?
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Document 5
Context: The Reconcentration Policy was a policy to keep Cuban civilians alive and protected until the Spanish
were victorious. However, this policy had disastrous consequences. At least 30% perished from lack of proper
food, sanitary conditions, and medicines. The policy generated severe anti-Spanish feeling in the United States
which helped propel it into war in 1898. It did not benefit the Spanish in the war.
1. Based on the document above, what claim could be made about the Spanish American War?
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2. What evidence did you use from the document, context and/or sourcing to make this claim?
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Topic: Spanish-American War
Theme: Power, Authority, and Governance
Background: While the United States, Japan and several European powers were gaining colonies.
Spain’s empire was declining. By the late 1800’s Spain once extensive empire was reduced to two
islands— Cuba and Puerto Rico. Eager for independence, some Cubans revolted against Spanish rule.
Many Americans sympathized with Cuba’s fight for independence—and some wanted to annex the
nearby island.
Inquiry Question:
Unit 3 Interim Writing Piece
Should the United States had gotten involved in the Spanish American War?
Directions: Read each of the following documents numbered 1 through 6. After each document, answer
the questions using the space provided. Remember to read the documents carefully so that you can refer
to specific evidence in the text to support your argument in your extended response essay.