introduction to spanish- american war “a splendid little war” john hay, secretary of state, 1898
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Spanish-American War
“A Splendid Little War” John Hay, Secretary of State, 1898
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Background:• Who?
•Spain vs. America
Where?
Cuba
Philippines
China
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Background:
The PhilippinesCuba
USA
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Why?• Help give freedom to Spain’s colonies!
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Spain’s Reconcentration Policy
• Spain was fighting a guerilla war and needed to separate “good” from “bad guys
What?
Why?
•Civilians were forced into government run camps (with bad conditions)
•Made Spain look bad in American eyes
How did it lead to war?
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American Economic Interests
• Protecting their economic interests
What?
Why?
•Many of Cuba’s sugar plantations were owned by Americans
•Made Americans more likely to help out Cuba
How did it lead to war?
7
“Yellow Journalists”
• Make more $ if they keep you scared and interested
What?
Why?
•Newspaper created highly exaggerated stories
•Made Americans want war!
How did it lead to war?
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“Yellow Journalism”“You furnish the pictures, I’ll furnish the war William Randolph Hearst
Frederic Remington’s
Disrobing Propaganda
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Slide Analysis: Judge Cartoon
The DeLome
Letter
deLome was the Spanish foreign minister
Wrote a private letter to the US calling McKinley a weak president and a common politician
Letter was stolen and leaked to the New York Journal and it was printed.
DeLome resigned as a result. (TR called him a white livered cur with no more backbone than a chocolate éclair.)
Result of this is tremendous anger of the American people toward the Spanish
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Sinking of the Maine in Havana HarborWhat?
• USS Maine explodes in Havana, Cuba Harbor,
How did it lead to war?
•Most Americans believe it was Spain’s fault
•1976 US Navy analyzed the sunken ship, decided that the hull blew OUT not IN
• Spark that started the war• “Remember the Maine! “• Gave Wilson the leverage he needed to
go to Congress and ask them to declare war on Spain
New York Journal Headline
Does this paper use any of the techniques that would make it seem like propaganda? What is the motive behind the wording they use?
Philippines
Wanted to annex it as a refueling stop on the way to China and other far east markets
After we rid the islands of the Spanish we took them over.
Filipino natives resisted but were put down and we controlled the islands until 1946.
Anti-Imperialist League was formed in the US to protest the annexation because they were capable of ruling themselves.
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Manila Bay• What Happened at Manila Bay?
•Surprise naval attack sunk the crumbling Spanish Navy
•Made Americans feel very superior
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Slide Analysis: Headline of the Maine Explosion
• Maine Explosion Caused by Bomb or Torpedo?2/17/1898 New York World
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Rough Riders• Who were the Rough Riders? Who was their leader?
•Teddy Roosevelt resigns as Asst Secretary of the Navy to lead a “Cowboy Calvary”
•Teddy’s popularity from this leads to his becoming Gov. of Ny, Vice President, and President
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Rough Riders• What famous Battle did they participate in?
•San Juan Hill
•African Americans also helped but get no credit
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Results
•US defeats Spain & becomes a world power•Teddy Roosevelt elected Vice President in 1900 and becomes President in 1901 when McKinley is shot•US must decide what to do about Spain’s former colonies (Phillipines, Puerto Rico, and Cuba)
