Transcript Causes of the Spanish American War

Pg. 20 - Causes of the
Spanish American War
1898
Humanitarian Concerns
• Stories of cruel treatment of Cubans
by the Spanish – poverty, starvation,
imprisonment
• Use of “reconcentration camps” by
Spain led to the death of many
innocent Cubans
• U.S. can’t help but be involved –
“tugged at the heartstrings of the
people”
Economic Concerns
• Many U.S. business interests in
Cuba were disrupted by war
(banks, sugar plantations,
hotels)
• The on-going civil war in Cuba
was costing American
businesses money
Yellow Journalism
• U.S. newspapers ran exaggerated
stories of the events in Cuba to
increase circulation – blood, guts, &
gory details sold papers
• Many stories sensationalized the
events but Americans believed them
to be true
• Public opinion → Anti-Spain
The DeLôme Letter
• Letter from Spanish official “leaked”
to the press
• Critical of President McKinley –
called him “weak”, a “would-be
politician” and a jingoist (aggressive
nationalist)
• Considered an insult to the president
& the nation
• Chances for peaceful negotiations
were unlikely
Explosion of the U.S.S.
Maine in Havana harbor
• 268 American sailors died
• “State of the Art” American ship
destroyed
• Uncertain of how it happened:
Spain attacked ?
Boiler blew up ?
Cubans sabotaged ?
“Spain must be
responsible”
• After hearing all
the horrible
things Spain had
done
• American people
didn’t want to
wait for
investigation
• Jumped to
conclusion
Immediate cause of War:
The sinking of the U.S.S.
Maine
Newspapers told the
story
Results of the Spanish
American War
• Treaty of Paris (1898)
• Cuba → Independent
• Platt Amendment to Cuban
Constitution makes Cuba a
protectorate of the U.S.
• Puerto Rico & Guam ceded to U.S.
• Philippines sold to U.S. ($20
million)
Importance
• U.S. becomes a World Power
with Colonies
• U.S. interests stretch around
the world