Download Spanish-American War

SpanishAmerican War
Mr. Dodson
Main Idea

A quick victory in the SpanishAmerican War confirms the status of
the United States as a world Power,
but it left some people arguing over
how to govern newly acquired
territory
Objectives

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What were the events leading up to and
following the Spanish-American War?
What did the U.S. gain from the war?
What challenges did the U.S. face?
Setting the Stage


By listening to U.S. demands that a dispute
between Venezuela and Great Britain be sent
to arbitration, the United States defended
the validity (truth) of the Monroe Doctrine.
The United States became involved in the
Cuban rebellion against Spain, to protect
American business interests.
Yellow Journalism

In competition for readers, two
New York newspapers wrote
exaggerated stories about the
Cuban rebellion. This yellow
journalism – sensational
writing, which exaggerates
news to attract and enrage
readers - sold a lot of papers
but had other effects as well:


It whipped up American public opinion in
favor of the Cuban rebels.
It led to a burst of national pride and the
desire for an aggressive foreign policy,
which became known as jingoism.
Steps to War
1.
2.
3.
4.
The USS Maine was stationed in Havana
harbor to protect U.S. biz.
Spanish Ambassador de Lôme insulted
President McKinley.
The USS Maine exploded, and the
American public blamed Spain.
Congress recognized Cuban
independence and authorized force
against Spain.
Cuba –
Remember the Maine

February 15, 1898
Huh?
This is the USA This is Spain
The USS Maine
Exploded in
Havana Harbor,
Cuba
The US also
fought Spain in
Cuba
The first battle of
the War occurred
in May 1898
when the US
attacked the
Spanish Navy in
the Philippines
The War

May 1, 1898: The United States
launched a surprise attack in Manila Bay
In the
Philippines
and
destroyed
Spain’s
entire Pacific
fleet in seven
hours.
The Rough Riders




The military unit that received the most
publicity was the First Volunteer Cavalry,
known as the Rough Riders.
Its leader was Theodore Roosevelt (he
had just resigned as Assistant secretary of
the Navy)
The Rough Riders were a diverse group of
volunteers that included cowboys, miners,
policeman, and rich business men.
Roosevelt would lead the Rough Riders in a
charge against the Spanish forces.
The War


July 1: Roosevelt led the Rough Riders up
Kettle Hill.
The Charge of San Juan Hill is regarded as
the most famous battles of the SpanishAmerican War.
The War

July 3: The United States Navy sank the
remaining Spanish ships
“A Splendid Little War”



3,300 Americans Died (only 400 died in
battle – disease and ‘embalmed beef’ did
the rest in)
55,000 Spanish soldiers died – about
5,000 in battle, the rest died from disease.
Spain recognized Cuba’s independence,
and the US got Philippines, Puerto Rico,
and Guam for $20 million
Treaty of Paris


The Spanish government recognized
Cuba’s independence.
Spain gave up the Philippines, Guam, and
Puerto Rico in return for $20 million. The
island nations then became
unincorporated territories of the United
States.
New Challenges After War
Dilemma in The Philippines
 President McKinley’s arguments for annexation:
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Filipinos were unfit for self-government.
Independence would bring anarchy.
European powers would try to seize the islands.
The Filipinos fought a three-year war for
independence.
The Philippines did not gain complete
independence until 1946.
New Challenges After War
The Fate of Cuba
 President McKinley installed a military government to
protect American business interests.
 Cuba drafted a constitution in 1900 that did not allow for
U.S. involvement.
 The U.S. government only agreed to remove its troops if
Cuba included the Platt Amendment.
 The Platt Amendment remained in place until 1934. It
allowed for U.S. naval bases on the island and
intervention whenever necessary.
Other Gains in the Pacific
Annexation of Hawaii
 Pineapple planter, Sanford B. Dole, with
the help of the U.S. Marines overthrew
Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii and claimed
it a republic
 The United States annexed Hawaii in 1898
under President William McKinley
 Hawaii was key for a naval station in the
Pacific and the U.S. market
An Open-Door to China


John Hay (President McKinley’s Secretary
of State) persuaded major European
powers to keep an “open door” regarding
trading with China
Hay wanted to ensure through his Open
Door Policy, the U.S. would have equal
access to the millions of Chinese
consumers
Discussion Question:

What was (and is) the major reason
behind U.S. foreign intervention?