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