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?

•Phillipines, Cuba (Spain’s Colonies)

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Background:

The Philippines

CubaUSA

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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?

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“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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Sinking of the Maine in Havana HarborWhat?

•USS Maine explodes in Havana, Cuba Harbor,

•“Spark” that started the war

•“Remember the Maine! To h--- with Spain!”

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

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Maine Explosion Caused by Bomb or Torpedo?2/17/1898 New York World

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Which of these do you think was most responsible for the nation going to war?

Spain’s treatment of citizens

Yellow journalism

Sinking of the Maine

American economic interest

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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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Rough Riders

Who were the Rough Riders? Who was their leader?

•Teddy Roosevelt resigns as Asst Sec. of the Navy to lead a “Cowboy Calvary”

•Brought his own photographer

•Teddy’s popularity from this leads to his becoming v.p. 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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Teddy Roosevelt

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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 Guam)

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Do you think the war was a good idea?

What did we gain?

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What to do with new territory?

Give the islands back to Spain?

Give them to France or Germany?

Allow them independence?

Take them, educate them, uplift, civilize, and Christianize the people?

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Treaty of Paris

Cuba granted freedom

United States given Guam and Puerto Rico

United States pays $20 million for Phillipines

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Reasons not to ratify TreatyTraditional American isolationism

American principles of self-government

Inconsistency of liberating Cuba and not the Philippines

Danger of foreign entanglements

Financial, military, and social costs

Treaty ratified in February 1899 (McKinley)

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Reason for building a canal

Shortcut from the Atlantic Ocean to Pacific Ocean

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Panama Canal $352 million to build 5,000 workers died

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Teddy Roosevelt

Made it clear to all that the United States is still the policeman of the western hemisphere

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Speak softly but carry a big stickMonroe Doctrine

Roosevelt Corollary

United States is still the policeman in the region and now intervene in Latin America’s domestic affairs in order to maintain stability.