Spanish American War

Back Ground

• Cuba was a colony of Spain

• Americans businesses interests in Cuba– 50 million in sugar

cane plantations• Proximity– Only 90 miles the

Florida coast

Cubans go to war against Spain

• Jose Marti launched a war for independence from Spain in 1895– Cuba Libre (free Cuba)– Use guerrilla (hit and run) tactics (methods)

• To control rebels Spanish General Valeriano Weyler rounded up rural population into concentration camps– Many died from diseases and starvation

• Cubans destroyed American property• American support

– some sided with rebels wanting independence– Some Americans just wanted stability

Underlining Causes for War with Spain

1. America concern over conditions on island of Cuba

• American property was being destroyed• Misgovernment – island in turmoil

2. Economic interest• had large land owning in

Cuba• Sugar industry on island• unstable government is

bad for business• New Cuban or Spanish

government might take over holdings

• wanted friendly stable government

3. Manifest Destiny

• Taken control of the Caribbean Sea was a continuation of American Manifest Destiny

4. Yellow Journalism• Rival newspaper publishers

– Joseph Pulitzer (New York World) and – William Randolph Hearst (New York

Journal)• To boost readership wrote sensational

headlines and pictures on their front pages• Stories exaggerated Spanish atrocities• compared Cuban rebels to the patriots of

American Revolution• "They colored the funnies, but they

colored the news as well."• "Please remain. You furnish the pictures,

I'll furnish the war." Hearst• the Journal devoted more than eight pages

a day to the story

Yellow Kid Cartoon Character

5. DeLome Letter

• Spanish minister to the US• wrote letter to friend in

Cuba• criticized President McKinley

– “a weak and stupid politician”

• Hearst published the letter – Headline “Worst Insult to the United

States in Is History”

• Letter fueled American jingosim– aggressive nationalism

Spark that Caused the War

• Explosion of USS Maine in Havana harbor

• 266 out of 354 on board died

• Press accused Spain of blowing up the battleship

• “Remember the Maine to h@%& with Spain”

The War with Spain• Admiral Dewey takes the Philippines

– Help from Emilio Aguinaldo• US forces win Cuba

– USS Marines captured Guantanamo Bay

– Win Kettle and San Juan Hill• Make Theodore Roosevelt and

his Rough Riders heroes• Heroic fighting done by the 9th

and 10th Black Units• Spanish fleet destroyed trying to

escape Santiago’s harbor• Spanish forces in Santiago surrender• “Splendid little war!”

Effects of the War

• Treaty of Pairs– Ended the war– Spain gave up control of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Guam– Sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million

• Teller Amendment– no sovereignty over Cuba / once it is free US would leave– BUT

• Platt Amendment– 1. Cuba not allowed to enter into any agreement that

would danger its independence– 2. US had right to intervene in Cuban affairs– 3. Us was granted Guantanamo Bay

Significance: • Turning point in

American foreign policy – No longer isolationist

• Am emerged from war as a world power

• United a nation• Ended the Spanish

Empire• Peace Treaty gave US a

colonial empire• Made Teddy Roosevelt

a hero