The SpanishAmerican War

1
The Spanish-American War

• Background/Overview
• Cuba was a Spanish possession they had a
  revolution in 1895
• Many Cubans died due to Yellow Journalism,
  many Americans sided with the Cubans
• 1898 U.S. went to war to help Cuba win
  independence from Spain
• U.S. involvement in Latin America Asia
  increased greatly as a result of the Spanish
  American War continues today

2
American interest in Cuba

• 90 miles south of Florida
• 1854 attempt to buy Cuba from Spain- Spain
  responds they would rather see Cuba sunk in the
  ocean
• 1st Cuban revolt against Spain unsuccessful-
  Spain forced Cuba to emancipate slaves- American
  capitalists began investing MILLIONS of in
  large sugar can plantations on Cuba

3
Cubas 2nd Attempt at Independence

• U.S. public opinion split
• Businessman want govt to support Spain in order
  to protect their economic investments
• Others were enthusiastic about the cause Cuba
  Libre

4
Yellow Journalism fuels U.S. involvement

• William Randolph Hearst vs. Joseph Pulitzer
• Yellow Journalism
• Sensational style of writing, exaggerates the
  news to lure enrage readers
• Deepened American sympathy for Cuban Rebels

5
President McKinley tries to avoid war

• 1897- McKinley takes office public demands for
  American intervention in Cuba on the rise
• McKinley tried to diplomatically resolve the
  crisis
• The de Lome letter- a letter stolen from Spanish
  minister to the United States criticized
  President McKinley- calling him weak
• Spanish govt apologized minister de Lome
  resigned but American people were outraged

6
The de Lome Letter
7
USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor, killing 260
Americans- February 15, 1898

• McKinley had ordered U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to
  bring back American citizens in danger protect
  American property
• No one knew why the ship exploded- but American
  newspapers claimed the Spanish were responsible
• Remember the Maine became the rally cry for
  U.S. intervention in Cuba

8
US declares War on Spain

• Despite the fact that Spain was willing to meet
  almost all U.S. demands- public opinion favored
  war
• McKinley asked Congress to declare war- Congress
  agreed- April 20th U.S. declared war

9
Dewey destroys Spain in Philippines

• April- George Dewey led American fleet in Pacific
  to Philippines- opened fired on Spanish fleet
• Dewey had support of Filipinos- wanted freedom
  from Spain
• August Spanish troops in Manila surrendered to
  the U.S.

10
Rough Riders

• Volunteer cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt part of
  American troops that landed in Cuba in June

• Rough Rider victory near Santiago Kettle Hill-
  cleared way for an attack on San Juan Hill-
  newspapers declared Roosevelt the hero of San
  Juan Hill (even though he only played a small
  role)
• Following this U.S. victory American troops
  invaded Puerto Rico

11
Treaty of Paris

• US Spain sign armistice on August 12
• Fighting only lasted 15 weeks
• December 10, 1898 met in Paris to agree on a
  treaty
• RESULTS
• Spain freed Cuba
• Spain turned over Guam Puerto Rico to the
  United States
• Spain sold Philippines to U.S. for 20 million

12
Where is Guam?
13
Where is Puerto Rico?
14
Where are the Philippines?
15
What about Puerto Rico??

• Some wanted Statehood Some wanted Independence
  Some wanted some sort of local self-government
  as an American territory
• Puerto Rico was important to U.S. for maintaining
  presence in Caribbean and protecting a future
  canal that American leaders wanted to build
  across the Isthmus of Panama
• 1900- Foraker Act- set up civil government
• President of US has the power to appoint Puerto
  Ricos governor members of upper house
  legislature
• Puerto Ricans can elect lower house members

16
Rights for Puerto Rico

• Constitution did not automatically apply
• Congress granted citizenship to Puerto Ricans in
  1917 right to elect both upper lower house
• Can move freely between island mainland
• Subject to military draft
• Can not vote in U.S. Presidential elections

17
Debate Does US have right to annex Philippines?

• McKinley justified Imperialism
• there was nothing left for us to do but to take
  them all (Philippine islands) to educate the
  Filipinos, and uplift Christianize them
• Other Arguments AGAINST annexation
• Political, Moral Economic
• Filipinos wanted freedom
• They had been ruled by Spain now the U.S. was in
  control
• They had a revolt it lasted 3 years- 20,000
  Filipinos died, 4,000 Americans died, cost 400
  million

18
Results

• U.S. set up a government similar to the one in
  Puerto Rico (U.S. appoints a governor- governor
  appoints upper hose- Filipinos can elect lower
  house)
• Finally became independent in 1946!