The Spanish American War

Revolution in Cuba Cuba is located 90 miles off the coast of Florida – Spanish colony Cubans wanted independence Jose Marti gathered arms, money and men in New York to fight Spanish rule Launched a revolution from the US Cubans were forced into concentration camps Cuban economy collapsed McKinley sought to avoid war with Spain

The Maine Incident 1898- Spain was not in control of its own officials in Cuba McKinley ordered the battleship Maine to Havana Harbor to show concern February 15, the Maine exploded killing 260 Americans Most Americans believed it was the Spanish who had blown up the Maine

Yellow Journalism Pushes the US toward War Yellow Journalism: sensational headlines and stories with little attention to the facts William Randolph Hearst – New York Journal Joseph Pulitzer – The World Newspapers fed anti-Spanish sentiment March 1898 – McKinley sent Spain an ultimatum April 11, 1898 – McKinley asked Congress to use force against the Spanish

The Outbreak of War in the Philippines May 1, 1898 – US attacked the Spanish in the harbor at Manila US demolished the Spanish forces in 7 hours US blockades the harbor until ground troops arrive Filipino Emilio Aguinaldo and his rebels aided the US in hopes of gaining independence Manila was captured August 13, 1898

The War in Cuba 17,000 US troops land at Santiago Fighting began on June 20, 1898 Theodore Roosevelt and the “Rough Riders” Battle of San Juan Hill – forced the Spanish to flee from Cuba US turns and conquers Puerto Rico

US Defeats Spain Spain signed a peace protocol on August 12, 1898 Treaty of Paris was signed in October 1898 US receives Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines, Samoa Cuba gains independence US sets up a military government in Cuba

US Emerges as a World Power By 1899 the US had expanded its control to include: Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines, Samoa and other Pacific Islands Many Americans were “anti-imperialists” Anti-Imperialist League Opposed US control of the Philippines

US Imperialism in the Early 1900s Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Policy” Pushed for greater involvement in world affairs Wanted a strong international presence but peaceful relations “Speak softly, and carry a big stick” Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine Asserted the right of the US to act as police power Began building the Panama Canal Open Door Policy in Asia

Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” Encouraged US businesses to invest in foreign regions wanted advance US authority and prosperity while promoting worldwide stability Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy” Wanted to secure US economic interests abroad US should “champion democracy” around the globe and help maintain world peace Led the US to meddle in the affairs of Latin America and Asia