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“The Splendid Little War” The Spanish American War - 1898 Discuss: Why do you think any war would be called a “Splendid Little War?” Who would call it that and what are the reasons they would do this? Take a few minutes to write down your answer. Questions: Why Spain? Why Now? In the 1860s, there was a revolt in Cuba against Spanish rule. Spain was able to put down this revolt, and when Cuba stabilized, many people from the United States began to invest in Cuba. Most of this money went to the Cuban sugar industry. Mmmmmm sugar. REBEL!! By the 1890s, The United States and Cuba were trading $100 million worth of goods per year. American businessman, investing in Cuba. Life was good. Uh Oh! When the Panic of 1893 struck, the US tried to protect American businesses. They increased Tariffs, which hurt Cuban trade. The Cuban economy suffered. The Cubans got mad. Question: Who are the Cubans going to blame for all of their problems? Answer: Spain! Discuss: If you were an American, would you support the Cuban rebellion against Spain or would you oppose it? Many Americans supported Cuba for two reasons: 1) Liked the idea of a struggle for independence (Kind of like The American Revolution. 2) American crops and investments in Cuba were put in danger by both Spanish and Cuban forces. Yellow Journalism Much of the American public support was the result of Yellow Journalism: Sensationalist reporting, in which writers often exaggerated in order to attract readers. William Randolph Hearst Owner of the New York Journal Yellow Journalists focused on the harsh conditions in Cuba. They criticized Spanish governor of Cuba, Valeriano Weyler, who created “reconcentration camps” where thousands died. Joseph Pulitzer Owner of the New York World “No man’s life, no man’s property is safe. American citizens are imprisoned or slain without cause. American property is destroyed on all sides …. Cuba will soon be a wilderness of blackened ruins. This year there is little to live upon. Next year there will be nothing. The horrors of a barbarous struggle for the extermination of the native population are witnessed in all parts of the country. Blood on the roadsides, blood on the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood! Is there no nation wise enough, brave enough to aid this bloodsmitten land?” -The New York World Two events create enough turmoil to bring the U.S. into the conflict. 1) Private letter from the Spanish Ambassador to the U.S. made public. Letter called President McKinley weak. 2) USS Maine – US naval vessel in Havana, Cuba explodes. Spanish are blamed. But was it the Spanish??? This calls for … What kind of journalism does this look like to you? Why? Jingoism – An attitude of aggressive nationalism within the Republican Party that was a result of these developments. They wanted war. They finally got it, but under one condition: The Teller Amendment: Passed before war, said US would not annex Cuba, and would let Cubans rule themselves. War on Two Fronts 1) The Philippines 2) Cuba Commodore George Dewey – Quickly defeated Spanish fleet in the Philippines, May 1st 1898. Emilio Aguinaldo – Filipino revolutionary who fought Spanish ground troops with Americans. American Cavalry Unit, The Rough Riders, attack San Juan Hill in Cuba. This strategic position allowed Americans to achieve a swift victory.