Warm-Up 5/7

Warm-Up 5/7What is the importance of unbiased, truthful journalism?

ReviewTake out you Spanish-American War packet that you received yesterday! Lets discussLesson QuestionHow and why does the United States attempt to expand its influence after 1890?

VocabularyYellow JournalismDeLome LetterUSS MainePlatt AmendmentIsthmusBig Stick Policy

Pre-war Knowledge

Setting the StageBy 1895, Spain had only a few colonial land holdings left including the Philippines (in Asia), Puerto Rico and Cuba (in Caribbean)

Setting the StageIn 1895 civil war broke out in Cuba between Spain and Cuban rebels. Why?

Setting the StageRebellion unsuccessful!The Spanish leader orders approximately 1/3 of the Cuban population into reconcentration camps by 1898.Food was scarce and famine and disease quickly spread. Over 400,000 Cubans died.

Yellow JournalismIn competition for readership, two New York newspapers wrote exaggerated stories about the Cuban rebellion. This yellow journalism sold a lot of papers but had other effects as well:It whipped up American public opinion in favor of the Cuban rebels!

Printed under a headline that read:Cuban Babes Prey to FamineThousands of Children Perishing in Island Towns

To get the attention of the U.S. government Cuban Rebels burn plantations owned by U.S. businessmen.

With millions of dollars of business investments in Cuba, the businessmen demand help from President McKinley

The U.S. Battleship Maine is sent to protect U.S. citizens and as a warning message to Spain!The Maine enters Havana Harbor on Jan. 28, 1898

DeLome Letter written to Sp. Foreign Ministerit shows once more what McKinley is, weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd, besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave the door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party.DeLome The Spanish Ambassador to the U.S.

DeLome LetterFeb. 9, 1898:New York Journal owner William Randolph Hearst published the letter under the headline, "The Worst Insult to the United States in Its History." 6 Days Later

President McKinley feels he has no choice On April 11th, 1898 he asks Congress to declare war on Spain.

Fighting lasts only six months US wins.

Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam are ceded to US.

Cuba granted independence in the Treaty of Paris, but has US military to help it recover. The Platt Amendment allows the US to intervene as needed (can you say, Big Brother )

Filipino Insurrection (in the Philippines)The Philippines expect independence too, but they dont get it!

Four year war occurs w/ high number of deaths!Philippine-American WarU.S.-- 4,234 dead and 2,818 wounded. (compared to just over 1,600 dead in the Spanish-American War)

Philippines-- 20,000 military dead and 200,000 civilian dead. (approximate numbers). Some historians place the numbers of civilian dead at 500,000 or higher.

Horrific accounts of torture from both sides during the Philippine-American War.Americans Waterboarding A Filipino Soldier

Show your creativity!You have one of two choices! You must choose one!Draw a political cartoon promoting the Spanish American War!Write an exaggerated news article reporting on the sinking of the USS Maine. It must include an attention grabbing title and be at least six sentences!

CloserHow were Americans opinions towards the events before and during the Spanish-American War influenced by the media?