The Spanish-American War

“And shall our country let it pass, this deed of foul interest. And shall our country dare believe it was an accident? Come arm, we all, and let us teach a lesson to bold Spain. We will avenge, by more than speech the destruction of the

Maine!” Why it Matters? America’s interests/power were growing, but we still remained reluctant to risk war with other powers to acquire colonies. This changed in 1898 when America went to war with Spain.

• Cuba – By 1897: • America entrepreneurs dumped $50 million into sugar cane plantations • Businessman saw this as an opportunity • Island was very unstable and constantly sought freedom from Spanish rule

Causes of the War

Cuba Libre!

Free Cuba

Cont…

• 1895-Cuban patriot Jose Marti launched a war for independence from Spain – Used guerrilla tactics • Hit and Run raids – Reaction from Spanish • Herded rural population into reconcentration camps-Reconcentration Plan • As brutal Spanish tactics intensified, America sympathized with the Cubans

The Yellow Press Inflames Opinion

• • • Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst Cartoon character Yellow Kid – Sensational headlines – Exaggerating Spanish atrocities McKinley sent

Maine

– Feb 1898

Journal

published a private letter sent by Spain’s US ambassador • • • Called McKinley “

a weak and stupid politician”

Headline read

“Worst Insult to the United States in its history”

Letter fueled

jingoism

(aggressive nationalism)

Quick Assessment

• • • • Why did many Americans favor the Cubans in their struggle for independence from the Spanish?

Why did many business people support Spain?

How did the

New York World

and

New York Journal

encourage U.S. citizens to support a war against Spain?

What are some circumstances that can prevent the news media from presenting ideas objectively?

Quick Activity

• Suppose you are living in the United States in 1898. Write letters to the editor of either the

New York World

or the

New York Journal

that explain why they think the United States should or should not go to war against Spain.

The Maine Blows Up

• • • 354 officers and crew – 266 died Headlines – “War? Sure!

McKinley asked a special naval board of inquiry to investigate – – Mar 21, 1898 Concluded: Mine had destroyed the battleship – Most people blamed Spain

The Nation goes to War

• • • War fever!

– “Remember the

Maine

” Spain agreed to abolish the concentration camps Too Late – April 11, 1898 McKinley asked Congress to declare war • • Congress enacted four resolutions – 4 th one-

Teller Amendment

• Stipulated that the U.S. had no intention of annexing Cuba – – Navy blocked Cuban ports 100,000 volunteers joined the army Spanish response-WAR

American Troops Battle the Spanish

• • Dewey takes the Phillipines – May 1, 1898 – – 1 American died 400 Spanish sailors died In August, after 11,000 US landed on the islands Spanish troops surrendered – Filipino nationalist

Emilio Aguinaldo

led Filipino troops fighting for independence

U.S. Forces Win in Cuba

• • • • June 1898-US troops landed in Cuba U.S. Marines captured Guantanamo Bay Under

William Shafter

stormed ashore in Santiago Troops: – Faced deplorable conditions – Poorly trained & supplied • • Issued obsolete weapons Heavy wool uniforms not suitable for Cubas climate

Cont…

• • Gen. Shafter’s Army – National Guard units – African American 9 & 10 th calvary th Theodore Roosevelt – Rough Riders – Resigned his post as Asst. Secy of the Navy – Gained fame-Battle of San Juan hill •

“They followed their leader up the terrible hill from whose crest the desperate Spaniards poured down a deadly fire of shell and musketry. They never faltered…Their aim was splendid, their coolness was superb…The war had not shown greater heroism”

• Two days after San Juan Hill – Spanish navy made an attempt to escape Santiago harbor – US forces blockaded the harbor, destroyed the Spanish fleet – – Spanish forces surrendered 3000 American died • 380 from combat • Others from disease such as malaria and yellow fever

Surrender

• • Secy. Of State

John Hay

referred to the war as “a splendid little war” Dilemma:

What should the US do with Spain’s former possessions?

Effects of the War

The Treaty of Paris

• Dec 1898-Official end of the war – Spain gave up control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam – Sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million – Teller amendment: couldn’t annex Cuba, but it did not apply to the Philippines

Americans debate Imperialism

• McKinley – America had no choice but to: • Take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift, and civilize them – Imperialist • • Responsibility Island-stepping stone to trade with China – Anti-Imperialist • Formed American Anti Imperialist League • Anti-Imperialist – – Crime Open disloyalty to the distinctive principles of our government

America Assumes a New Role

• • • William Jennings Bryan v. McKinley/Roosevelt ticket McKinley soundly defeated Bryan Established US as an imperialist empire and a turning point in the history of American foreign policy