Transcript The Spanish-American War




Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Philippines are all
Spanish colonies
Cubans were tired of the poor treatment and
failing economy
Organized a revolt and began to fight against
Spanish rule



US business men were upset because of trade
disruption
“Yellow Journalism” began to outrage US
citizens with exaggerated claims of Spanish
brutality in Cuba
Cuba wanted be independent

President William McKinley - Doesn’t want a war

Public opinion forced US into action


McKinley demanded Spain stop its harsh treatment
of Cubans
Sent the USS Maine to rescue US citizens from a riot
in Havana that was led by Anti-American
“Voluntarios”
USS Maine
Havana Harbor (Cuba) in 1898



Was initially reported by William Randolph
Hearst’s newspapers that the USS Maine was
sunk as a Spanish conspiracy
Sinking was actually caused by a submarine
mine
Took the lives of 250 men



While all the revolts were taking place in Cuba
Rioting and fighting for independence was also
happening in the Philippines
The US was also preparing to act on the
problems in the Philippines



July 3, 1898- war began with the Battle of
Santiago de Cuba
Largest naval battle-ended in total destruction
of Spanish Caribbean fleet
Americans took the town of Santiago



Germany had interests in Manila and offered
aide
US called Germany’s bluff and showed
intention to fight
Germany backs down. August 13, 1898- US
takes control of Manila unaware that the war
ended a day earlier

July 1, 1898 – San Juan Hill is captured

July 17 1898 - Santiago is held

August 12 1898 - Truce is signed

Secretary of State John Hay
referred to the war as “a splendid little war”


December 1898 – Paris
Philippines did not get their freedom and became an
US colony

Filipinos were angry and felt betrayed

Spain had to give all its colonies to the US

Platt Amendment - gave the US the right to
intervene into Cuban affairs