Spanish-American War

What Started it All

Purpose of Lesson

A. Understand the factors which led to war

B. Examine how the outcome of the war could lead to US imperialism

Background

Debate over Imperialism

YESNecessary

Forprosperity

MAYBEUncomfortable

with imperialism

NOInvite war,Violate US

values

Economic Expansion•US growing involvement with:

•Pacific Islands•Hawaii•Samoa

•Latin America•Cuba***

A. Understand the factors which led to

war

Trouble in Cuba• Cuba fighting for independence

w/Spain• US interest

•Identified w/struggle•Location ideal for expansion

• Jose Marti (Cuban)•Raises resistance against Spain•Revolution 1895 against Spain

Trouble in Cuba

Valereano Weyler(SPAIN)

• Placed Cubans in “reconcentration” camps

• Thousands die

Marti Team(CUBA)

• Damage Cuba• Goal: drive out

Spaniards

American Sentiments• Economic interest

• $50 mill sugar industry• Trade going downhill

• Human rights• Heard of horrific conditions in camps

•Hunger•Starvation •Diseases

• Dramatized by press

• US grow angry w/Spain• President McKinley avoid war

American Reaction• 1896 Spanish troops in Cuba

•Oppose reform from officials in Spain•Riot in Havana

• US Response•McKinley sends battleship Maine to

Havana Harbor •Concern for crisis•Protect American citizen & property

Battleship Maine

Feb 15, 1898 explosion

260 Americans killed

Remember the Maine! To War with Spain!

USS Maine Mystery

•US blamed Spain•No evidence •Investigation suggests accident

•Internal cause

YellowYellow Journalism• Sensational headlines & stories• Little attention to facts• Goal: gain new readers

•Grabbing attention•Stir up emotions

• Fabricated stories of Spanish cruelty when it wasn’t occurring

• Fed anti-Spanish sentiments & pressured Gov to declare war

McKinley Declares War•McKinley goes to ask Congress to

use force against Spain:•Safety of Cubans•Safety of US interests & property

•End menace to US peace •April 25, 1898 US declares war

w/Spain

U.S. vs Spain1. Philippines (May 1)

• Spanish colony• Commodore George Dewey

moved 6 US ships to harbor in Manila > sunk 10 Spanish ships

• Dewey worked w/Filipino rebel Emilio Aguinaldo

• Result: US get Manila

U.S. vs Spain

2. Cuba (June 20)• 17,000 troops sent

• Rough Riders – volunteer soldiers under Theodore Roosevelt’s command

Rough RidersRough Riders

Teddy’s Terrors

U.S. vs Spain2. Cuba (June 20)

• 17,000 troops sent• Rough Riders – volunteer soldiers

under Theodore Roosevelt’s command

• Black soldiers’ efforts unnoticed• San Juan Hill – major land battle, US

win• July 3 US defeats Spain in Cuba

U.S. vs Spain3. Puerto Rico

• Spanish colony• Easily conquered

in July

US WINS WAR

Negative Aspect

• Soldiers• 385 killed in action• 5,000 died of sickness

• Tropical diseases• Bad food – tainted meat

• Blacks – faced resentment in south, lead to race riots

B. Examine how the outcome of the war

could lead to US imperialism

BIG QUESTION???

What to do with Philippines, Cuba & Puerto Rico?

• Give them their independence?• Make them US territory?• Annex them?

Group Presentations

1. China2. Cuba3. Dominican Republic4. Hawaii5. Mexico6. Panama7. Philippines8. Puerto Rico

Group Presentations

• Groups of 3-4• Create power point presentation for

class• Presentation 5 minutes long• Include facts & images

• Info provided• Images find online

• Oct 15 – work day, complete ppt• Oct 18 – presentation