Spanish-American War“A Splendid little war”

Causes of the War:

1895 – Cubans revolt against Spanish rule in Cuba

U.S. government (wanting to stabilize Cuba) negotiates an agreement with Spain by which Cuba would become self governing on Jan. 1, 1898.

USS Maine

President McKinley sent the USS Maine to Havana (Cuba’s capital) to protect U.S. interests/citizens.

On February 15, an explosion sank the Maine, killing 266 men on board.

Controversy surrounded the Maine’s explosion and many assumed the Spanish were responsible

Teller Amendment

On April 19, Congress passed The Teller Amendment:

It stated that the U.S. would not establish permanent control over Cuba…The U.S. declares war on Spain on April 25

Media Coverage:

Thanks to changing technology, photographs being published, U.S. Newspapers were able to cover the war very closely and relay that information to the public.

Newspapers even sent reporters to Cuba to provide first hand reporting

Yellow Journalism:

2 major newspaper owners:1. Joseph Pulitzer – Owner

of the New York World2. William Randolph

Hearst – Owner of the New York Journal

They viewed public interest in the war as an opportunity to sell newspapers.

Yellow Journalism – The exaggeration of a news story in order to sell newspapers

The War:

Although Cuba played a key role in the start of the war, battles between the U.S. and Spain took place around the world.

The first hostilities took place in…

Philippines

May,1, 1898, - Battle of Manila Bay

Admiral Dewey sunk Spanish fleet.

In only seven hours, the entire Spanish Asian fleet was sunk. U.S. suffers only one death.

Fighting in Cuba…

American soldiers were depleted as a result of the Civil War 30 years prior.

McKinley asked for volunteers from the Southwest to fight (They were used to the climate in Cuba and were not as involved in the Civil War).

Over 1,200 volunteers, led by Theodore Roosevelt became known as The Rough Riders.

The Rough Riders were instrumental in defeating the Spanish at San Juan Hill .

Fighting in Puerto Rico…

U.S. troops faced little opposition in Puerto Rico.

By Aug. 2, Spain and the U.S. began negotiating an end to the war

End to the War…

Treaty of Paris – ended the Spanish-American War.

Spain gave up Guam, Puerto Rico, its possessions in the West Indies, and the Philippines for $20 million.

The U.S. occupied Cuba but did not try to annex it (Teller Amendment)

Aftermath…

Transformed the U.S. into an imperial power

Theodore Roosevelt would become a recognized hero and instantly become credible as a political candidate. ( He was elected governor of New York 3 months after the war and Vice President in 1901.