Imperialism and the United States The Spanish-American War Imperialism and the United States

Reasons for U.S. Expansion Imperialism: policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker nations Manifest Destiny Increase the nation’s financial prosperity Strengthen the military force Spread democracy Spread western culture

“A Splendid Little War” Lasted less than one year A major shift in world power resulted from its outcome. The war was fought on two islands Philippine Islands Cuba

Why did the U.S. enter the war? It’s important to know and understand why the United States entered the war. There was more than one reason… American leaders were not pleased with the harsh treatment of Cubans (see next slide). American leaders were worried Cuba’s many attempts at revolting against Spain would threaten U.S. trade with Cuba. American leaders wanted to help Cubans obtain their freedom from Spain

Cuban Revolution Cubans rebelled against Spanish control Many Cubans were forced from their homes and placed in camps guarded by Spanish troops Thousands died of starvation and disease

Yellow Journalism Most Americans’ depended on journals, newspapers, and magazines to learn about what was happening in the world. Americans were outraged when they learned about the harsh treatment of Spanish officials. Competition between different forms of media led to a style of writing called Yellow Journalism. Yellow Journalism: style of journalism that exaggerates and sensationalizes the news

America Declares War! President William McKinley did not want the U.S. to enter the war. Eventually public opinion swayed McKinley to take action. He sent the battleship, USS Maine to Cuba to protect U.S. citizens from revolts On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded and sank. Many Americans blamed Spain for the explosion

“Remember the Maine!”

Destruction of the Maine

America Declares War! By April of 1898, McKinley called for Cuba’s independence and demanded Spain to withdraw their forces. Spain responded by breaking off diplomatic relations with the U.S. Despite McKinley’s hesitation to enter the war, it became evident that the U.S. would need to do something

The War in the Philippines On April 30, 1898, American ships began the trip to the islands, prepared to help Filipinos in their revolt against Spain On May 1, 1898 Commodore George Dewey, with the help of Emilio Aguinaldo, the head of the Filipino rebel forces, gave the command to open fire against the Spanish fleet.

The War in the Philippines On May 1, 1898 Commodore George Dewey, with the help of Emilio Aguinaldo, the head of the Filipino rebel forces, gave the command to open fire against the Spanish fleet.

The War in the Philippines Commodore George Dewey Emilio Aguinaldo

The War in the Philippines It took only 7 hours for the U.S. troops to destroy the Spanish fleet at Manila, the capitol of the Philippines. Dewey became an instant American hero.

The War in the Caribbean By June, U.S. troops, with the help of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, had their sights set on Cuba. By July, U.S. troops and the RR captured San Juan Hill and destroyed the Spanish fleet On August 12, 1898, Spain signed a truce.

America Wants More The U.S. initially entered the war to fight for Cuban independence. However, after successfully defeating Spain, the United States decided that it wanted Spain to give up its other colonies, too. At the Treaty of Paris in 1898, Spain gave up Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. These colonies were now under U.S. control. See next slide…

What was the U.S. to do? Now that the U.S. had 4 new territories, American leaders had to decide how much independence the islands would have. Even though many natives of the islands had fought alongside U.S. troops, McKinley decided that the territories should become American colonies. The Treaty of Paris granted Cuba its independence, but it remained under the control of the U.S. military – Platt Amendment & Guantanamo Bay

Push Back Island natives were not happy with the U.S. at all. They went from being owned by Spain to being owned by the U.S. The islands wanted to be free! Filipinos rebelled against the U.S. until 1902, when American troops finally gained control. Puerto Rico was a territory, but was allowed very little say in their affairs. By 1917 the U.S. made Puerto Rico a self-governing territory and granted U.S. citizenship to all Puerto Ricans.