Spanish American War Learning Target: Identify the Causes and Effects of the Spanish American War Chapter 14 Section 2
Causes of the Spanish-American War 1. Cuban Rebellion against Spain 2. American desire to protect its investments in Cuba (sugar plantations) 3. Yellow journalism that intensified public anger at Spain 4. The explosion of the USS Maine
Causes of Spanish American War Cuban Rebellion Spanish General made governor of Cuba: “Butcher” Weyler forced 300,000 Cuban Rebels into concentration camps Jose Marti—exiled Cuban leader who organized rebellion American interest threatened by rebellion Monroe Doctrine – chance to get Spain out of Western Hemisphere (Monroe Doctrine: (1823) US would not interfere with Euro colonies and Europe would not interfere with Am.)
Intervention McKinley did not want to intervene, but after the Maine sunk McKinley faced too much pressure to intervene Jingoism—aggressive nationalism—strong in Rep party (and Dems wanted war, too)
Yellow Journalism A type of journalism that distorts and exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers William Randolph Hearst vs Joseph Pulitzer (New York Journal) (New York World)
1.What is most noticeable about the example? 2. How is this media making people feel? 3. How would this influence or change peoples mind?
Characteristics of Yellow Journalism Headlines in huge print, often of minor news Many pictures, or imaginary drawings use of faked interviews, misleading headlines, and false information from so-called experts dramatic sympathy with the "underdog" against the system. Emotional words and symbols; scare tactics
Does Yellow Journalism Still Exist?
Important Events Sinking of the USS Maine 266 US Servicemen are killed Blamed on Spanish Admiral Dewey – Surprise attack on the Spanish Fleet in Manila Harbor (Spanish base in the Philippines) All Spanish Ships are Sunk Emilio Aguinaldo—Filipino revolutionary leader worked w/ Dewey Spanish Defeated in Battle of San Juan Hill (Cuba) T. Roosevelt led the “Rough Riders” to victory Spain signs Treat of Paris Ending the War
Effects of the Spanish American War US becomes an Imperialist Power Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines become colonies of the US Cuba gains its independence from Spain, but becomes a US Protectorate US will “protect” and partially control Cuba Philippine rebels wanting independence declare war on US
Which of the following is not a cause of the Spanish American War Monroe Doctrine Desire for economic opportunity Sympathy for the Spanish Sinking of the Battleship Maine Yellow Journalism
Which of the following is not an effect of the Spanish American War? US became an imperialistic power Cuba became a US Protectorate Filipino rebels declared war on the US Spain’s colonies were free
Which of the following defines Yellow Journalism Factual, Unbiased news Distorted or Exaggerated news A type of news that no longer exists today Proven news written by experts