The Spanish Empire Areas that were at one time part of the Spanish Empire

Civil War in Cuba In 1895 civil war broke out in Cuba between Spain and Cuban rebels. By 1895, Spain had only a few colonial land holdings left including the Philippines (in Asia), Puerto Rico and Cuba (in Caribbean)

Cuban Rebellion The Spanish leader orders approximately 1/3 of the Cuban population into “reconcentration” camps by Food was scarce and famine and disease quickly spread. Over 400,000 Cubans died.

Setting the Stage for War In competition for readership, two New York newspapers wrote exaggerated stories about the Cuban rebellion. Chapter 10, Section 2 This yellow journalism sold a lot of papers but had other effects as well: It whipped up American public opinion in favor of the Cuban rebels! The Yellow Kid

Yellow Journalism v. Muckraking – Same Thing? “Muckraking is sometimes confused with yellow journalism, a genre that developed during the second half of the 19 th century. Both forms of reporting commanded public attention with shocking news. But the two styles differed in one key way: Muckraking depended on facts Yellow journalism exaggerated. Its stories focused on grisly, crime-based news and other sensational headlines that sold papers. This style of reporting gained its colorful name because many of these papers published the “Yellow Kid” comic strip with a yellow- inked main character. Today’s supermarket tabloids publish in the tradition of yellow journalism.” excerpt from Muckrakers by Ann Bausum (p. 24)

SECTION6

Printed under a headline that read: Cuban Babes Prey to Famine Thousands of Children Perishing in Island Towns

The New York Journal reports "...blood on the roadsides, blood in the villages, blood, blood, blood!" When William Randolph Hearst sent a reporter to cover the rumored war, he cabled back that there was no war going on. Hearst wired back: “Please remain. You supply the pictures, and I'll supply the war.”

To get the attention of the U.S. government – Cuban Rebels burn plantations owned by U.S. businessmen. With millions of dollars of business investments in Cuba, the businessmen demand help from President McKinley The U.S. Battleship Maine is sent to protect U.S. citizens and as a warning message to Spain!

January 28, 1898 Passing Moro Castle in Havana

DeLome Letter written to Sp. Foreign Minister “…it shows once more what McKinley is, weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd, besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave the door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party.” DeLome – The Spanish Ambassador to the U.S.

Uh-Oh... on February 9, 1898 New York Journal owner William Randolph Hearst published the letter under the headline, "The Worst Insult to the United States in Its History." Six days later comes the final straw!

Remember the Maine!

WAR! President McKinley feels he has no choice – On April 11 th, 1898 he asks Congress to declare war on Spain.

Spanish American War In 1895 civil war broke out in Cuba between Spain and Cuban rebels. Fighting lasts only six months – US wins. Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam are ceded to US. Cuba granted independence in the Treaty of Paris, but has US military to help it recover. The Platt Amendment allows the US to intervene as needed (can you say, “Big Brother ”)

Filipino Insurrection (in the Philippines) In 1895 civil war broke out in Cuba between Spain and Cuban rebels. The Philippines expect independence too, but they don’t get it! Four year war occurs w/ high number of deaths! Philippine-American War U.S.-- 4,234 dead and 2,818 wounded. (compared to just over 1,600 dead in the Spanish-American War) Philippines-- 20,000 military dead and 200,000 civilian dead. (approximate numbers). Some historians place the numbers of civilian dead at 500,000 or higher.

Horrific accounts of torture from both sides during the Philippine- American War. Americans Waterboarding A Filipino Soldier