The Spanish-American War

Chapter 20, Section 2

What were the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War?

At the close of the 18th century, America was drifting toward war.

The United States would emerge as a world power with interests around the globe.

Cuba lies 90 miles off the coast of Florida. It had been ruled by Spain since 1492.

200,000 Cubans died in camps due to lack of food and poor sanitation.

In 1895, Cubans rose up against

Spain’s harsh rule.

Spain forced many Cubans into detention camps, a process called reconcentration.

Many Americans were sympathetic to the Cuban rebels.

President Cleveland, and later President McKinley, tried to maintain neutrality.

Many Americans wanted to protect America’s $50 million investment in Cuba.

This investment included sugar and rice plantations, railroads, and iron mines.

When fighting broke out in Havana in 1898, President McKinley sent in the battleship Maine.

On February 15, 1898, a great explosion sank the Maine, killing 260 Americans.

• War fever swept the United States.

• Most Americans blamed Spain.

On April 20, 1898, the U.S. declared war on Spain.

The first great battle of the war took place in the Philippines, far from Cuba.

On May 1, the U.S. Navy sank the entire Spanish squadron at Manila Bay.

Rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo then helped U.S. troops seize Manila.

The U.S. controlled the Philippine Islands.

The war’s focus next shifted to Cuba. Americans were ill-prepared but eager to fight.

On July 1, Theodore Roosevelt led his unit, the Rough Riders, on a charge up San Juan Hill.

San Juan Hill

Their victory was the most celebrated event of the war.

The two fronts in the Spanish American War were on opposite sides of the world.

In December 1898, Spain and the United States signed a peace treaty, ending the war.

U.S. ships trapped and destroyed the Spanish fleet in Cuba.

Spain surrendered Cuba to the United States.

Americans took control of Puerto

Rico, another Spanish

possession.

A series of U.S. victories led to the end of the war.

1898 Peace Treaty

Granted Cuban independence.

Paid Spain $20 million.

Gave the U.S. Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and the islands of Guam and Wake.

Spain The U.S.

Americans were divided over the treaty with Spain.

Against the Treaty For the Treaty

The Senate ratified the treaty of February 6, 1899.

The treaty gives the U.S.

important bases. We have a duty

to spread democracy.

Taking colonies violates the right

to self-government and raises the risk of

war.

The U.S. replaced Spain as the leading Caribbean power.

Cuba became a U.S. protectorate.

Cuba did not gain true independence.

In 1902, the Platt Amendment gave the U.S. power to intervene in Cuban affairs. One Cuban wrote

that Cuba was “as free as a dog on a leash.”

The U.S. faced different challenges in Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

Puerto Rico The Philippines

The Foraker Act of 1900 gave Puerto Ricans limited rule.

Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens in 1917.

Emilio Aguinaldo led a fight for independence, but was captured in 1901.

The U.S. remained in control until 1946.