Spanish American War Mr. Williams 10 th Grade U.S. History
Western Hemisphere was an “American Sphere of Influence” A geographical area where an outside nation exerts special economic or political control Warned European powers to keep their hands off or risk war Monroe Doctrine
A Splendid Little War “a splendid little war; begun with the highest motives, carried on with magnificent intelligence and spirit, favored by that fortune which loves the brave.” -Secretary of State John Hay
Spanish-American War War offered Americans a chance to wave the flag and mach in unison: NATIONALISM Began with outrage over treatment of Cuban revolutionaries by Spanish colonial regime in 1895 By 1898 one-third of the island’s population had been wiped out
Yellow Journalism Appealed and fed on public’s appetite for violence and sensationalism Joseph Pulitzer: New York World William Hearst: Evening Journal “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”-Hearst
Business Interest in Cuba American business had more than more than $50 million invested in Cuban sugar As a result of the revolution $100 million/ year in trade went down to $0
Roosevelt and Expansionists War with Spain opened up prospect of expansion into Asia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Phillipines “We will have this war for the freedom of Cuba….in spite of the timidity of commercial interests.”
Remember the Maine February 15, 1898 Mysterious explosion destroyed the Maine, killing 266 crew members Congress declared war on Spain in April
235,000 men enlisted shouting “Remember the Maine” “In April, everywhere over this good fair land, flags were flying…At the stations, crowds gathered to hurrah for the soldiers, and to throw hats into the air, and to unfurl flags.”
Battle of Manila Bay 5 days after McKinley signed war resolution, U.S. navy under George Dewey destroyed Spanish fleet Troops then dispatched to secure Philippine Islands
Emilio Aguinaldo: leader of a rebel army of Filipino patriots Aguinaldo’s army captured Manila while Dewey waged battle in the water Spanish in Philippines surrendered on August 14, 1898
Rough Riders Teddy Roosevelt resigned his post as Secretary of Navy Formed a regiment composed about equally Ivy League polo players, cowboys, ranchers and miners
Battle of San Juan Hill 8,000 soldiers fought to control Kettle and San Juan Hill Along with Rough Riders, also Buffalo Soldiers: African American of 9 th and 10 th Cavalries
Impact of San Juan Hill Six Buffalo soldiers and two Rough Riders awarded Medal of Honor Teddy Roosevelt catapulted into national spotlight Two weeks later in July, Spanish troops surrendered in Cuba
Consequences of War Spanish gave up Puerto Rico, Guam, and for $20 million the Philippines Cuba let go as well, but the Teller Amendment which said U.S. “would leave the government and control of the Island to its people”
Annexation of the Philippines? For: U.S. had duty to spread its values overseas President McKinley felt there was a need “to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them”
Located on route to China, Philippines would be useful as a place to refuel and resupply ships Wanted to annex before they fell into hands of Germany, Japan, or other nations
Against Annexation Annexation would violate the ideal of self-government, formed Anti-Imperialist League This is the foundation of the American system
What about the Filipinos? Rebels enraged, Aguinaldo warned that he was prepared to take military action Fighting lasted 3 years, this cost 4,000 U.S. lives and as many as 200,000 Filipino lives