The Spanish American War 1898
Background: Spain losing overseas colonies Venezuela 1821 Simon Bolivar Argentina 1816 Jose De San Martin Mexico 1821
But they still have: Cuba Philippines Guam Puerto Rico This is where the fight will be
Cuba Fights for independence *Cuba wins abolition of slavery, but not independence *(US South wants to admit Cuba as a slave state in 1860!) *US becomes main sugar market for Cuba
Yellow Yellow Journalism William Randolph Hearst(New York Journal) vs. Joseph Pulitzer(New York World) print exaggerated accounts of atrocities in Cuba, competing for paper sales. e.g. “Butcher” Weyler throws children to sharks, wells are poisoned, battles invented that never take place Result: Americans are sympathetic to Cubans
Jose Marti In Exile in NYC, Marti launches revolution in 1895 Spain’s response: Valeriano Weyler sent to Cuba to restore order Weyler moves Cuban population into concentration camps and 1000’s die from hunger
HearstPulitzer
Cuban Babes Prey to Famine Thousands of Children of the Reconcentrados Perishing in Island Towns Sights that Sicken Strong Men
Frederic Remington Sent by Hearst to Cuba to provide pictures: “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war”
The De Lome Letter President William McKinley takes office Many Americans demanding US take action in Cuba -McKinley negotiates with Spain. Spain recalled Weyler, changes concentration camp policy and offers Cuba limited independence However……
NY Journal publishes private letter of Spanish Minister to US. Enrique De Lome Letter calls McKinley weak and a bidder for public admiration Americans are insulted!
USS Maine Explodes McKinley orders USS Maine to Cuba to protect Americans February 15,1898 While in Havana harbor, USS Maine explodes and sinks. 260 of 350 Americans killed. Journal Headline: “THE WARSHIP MAINE WAS SPLIT IN TWO BY AN ENEMY’S SECRET INFERNAL MACHINE” Journal offers 50,000 dollar reward
“Remember the Maine” Spain agrees to all US demands but…. *McKinley asks Congress for authority to use force. *After 1 week of debate, US declares war on Spain April
The Philippines *T.Roosevelt (Assistant Secretary of Navy) Sent ships to Philippines in February *May 1 st George Dewey destroys Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. “You may fire when ready” US lands in Philippines. *11,000 Americans join Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo *August- Spanish troops surrender
US Invades Cuba 1.Naval Blockade 2.125,000 volunteers sent to sad training camps 3.Civil War vets-uniforms, tactics out of date 4.Malaria
The Rough Riders Volunteer Cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt 1200 men years old Kettle Hill Rough Riders and two African American regiments(9 th and 10 th cavalry) clear the way for assault on San Juan Hill
“A Splendid Little War”- US Sec. of state John Hay Two days later, Spanish fleet is destroyed while trying to escape. July 17 th Santiago surrenders. 16 weeks of fighting 300,000 Americans fight, 5400 Americans die (379 of battle wounds)
Treaty of Paris December Cuba is independent 2.Spain gives Puerto Rico and Guam to US 3.US will pay 20 million for annexation of Philippines America starts an empire… and debate raged.
What they were saying: Booker T Washington:US should settle race issues at home first William McKinley: After praying about it, “that there was nothing left for us to do but take them all (the Philippine Islands) and educate the Filipinos, and uplift and Christianize them” Samuel Gompers: Filipino workers will compete with Americans for jobs Others: The Declaration of Independence has be violated!