The Spanish-American War

Ch. 17 Section 2

Spanish-American WarCuba had long been a Spanish Colony

Spain exploited the land for its ability to produce sugar Through the mid 1800’s, -> 1/3 of Cubans were

slaves 1/3 of world’s sugar supply came from Cuba

Cuba Declares IndependenceIn 1868, Cuban rebels declared their

independenceSpain says they will not allow them to

U.S. wanted to make sure its interests were protected in Cuba (RR’S, mines, & sugar plantations)Pres. Cleveland wanted to remain neutralBecause of yellow journalism most Americans

sided with/ supported the Cubans

President Grover Cleveland

U.S. Involvement in Spanish American WarIn 1897, new president, McKinley, didn’t

want to intervene as well Thought it would cost too many American lives

& hurt our economyMcKinley warned of American involvement if

the war didn’t end soonIn Jan. 1898, in order to protect American

interests & American citizens in Cuba McKinley sent the U.S.S. Maine to Havana

A month later it exploded in Havana harbor U.S. Navy and Marine Corps suffered 267 casualties

President William McKinley

U.S. Involvement in Spanish American WarMost Americans, as well as the media/press

believed Spain to be responsible for the MaineDemanded U.S. retaliation

In April 1898, McKinley & Congress declared war on Spain

U.S. had superior navy (important because Cuba is an island)

U.S. blockades Cuba-> doesn’t allow reinforcements/supplies

A War on Two FrontsU.S. sends ships to take control of Spanish

possessed Philippines and Guam (easily taken on the way to Philippines)

Many Filipinos thought U.S. were there to help them when American troops kicked the Spanish out of the capital of Manila (they were wrong)

Emilio Aguinaldo

Battle of Manila Bay

A War on Two FrontsIn Cuba, the Rough Riders, co-led by Theodore

Roosevelt (w/ Colonel Leonard Wood), helped take San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill2 most important American victories in Cuba

U.S. navy destroyed all of the Spanish fleet as they fled Santiago Harbor

In December 1898, Spain and U.S. sign Treaty of ParisGave U.S.: Guam, Puerto Rico, and the

Philippines

Battle of Kettle Hill

What to do with the Philippines?Grant autonomy= allow them to rule/govern

themselves OR annex/take over the islandsArguments for Annexing:

Good for U.S. economy=another market for U.S. goods

Good for U.S. military=would make for good naval base in the Pacific

It’s our duty to civilize “them” & teach them how to live “properly”

What to do with the Philippines?Arguments against annexing:

No economic benefits=maintaining the islands would be costly

Cheap Filipino labor would drive down American Wages

Imperialism is un-American (famous anti-imperialists=Andrew Carnegie, Jane Addams, Mark Twain)

Answer the Following:1. What was McKinley’s decision regarding the

Philippines?2. How did Filipinos view Americans? Why?

Result of the Spanish-American WarSecretary of State John Hay called the S-A-W

"a splendid little war“ United States emerged from the conflict as a

world power Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines, several

Samoan Islands and Wake Island was acquiredU.S. had become a major military power with a

two-ocean navy.