1. US History Chapter 7 Section 2
The Spanish-American War
1898

2. Main Idea
A quick victory in the Spanish-American War gave the United States a new role as a world power
“ A Splendid Little War”

3. Reading Focus How did simmering unrest in Cuba lead to a rebellion?
Why did America get war fever?
What happened in the course of the Spanish-American War?
Why was annexing the Philippines controversial?

4. Uprising in Cuba
1860s: Nationalists in Cuba began fighting for independence from Spain
Inspired by rebel Jose Marti who inspired the fight for independence (Founded Cuban Revolutionary Party)
1895: Marti returns to Cuba but was killed by Spanish Soldiers
Sought independence
from Spain
Colonized Cuba
Sparks Fight for independence

5. America Gets War Fever
1896: US empathizes with Cuban fight for independence from Spain (Why did Americans empathize?)
The Powerful Media: Two most widely read newspapers were from New York-
> NY Journal (William Hearst) Competing Newspapers
> NY World (Joseph Pulitzer) used their own version of
“Yellow Kid” to gain response
Known as “Yellow Journalism” because of how they exposed the Cuban struggle for independence
William Hearst sends journalist to Cuba to photograph horrible conditions Cubans were exposed to (propaganda to spark US intervention)

10. Explosion of the USS Maine
February 9, NY Journal publishes letter written by Spain’s minister to US (Enrique de Lome) which poked fun of McKinley
America outraged at de Lome letter which pressured congress for action against Spain
Battleship (USS Maine) had been sent to Cuba to protect American lives and property
Feb 15, USS Maine mysteriously blows up
in Havana Harbor killing 260 Sailors
> No proof what caused explosion
> U.S. sent requests to Spain to grant Cuba
independence
April 25, Spanish-American War begins

11. USS Maine

12. Sinking of the USS Maine

13. Course of the War 4 Month War fought on two fronts
War in the Philippines
Assistant Sec. of Navy T. Roosevelt sent orders to
Commodore George Dewey to attack Spanish Fleet in Philippines
> May 1, American forces engage and destroy Spanish fleet in Manila Bay (400 Spanish KIA / 0 U.S. KIA)
> U.S. partnered with Filipino Rebel Emilio Aguinaldo and surrounded Spanish forces on land forcing their surrender on August 14, 1898
“Thank you Filipino for helping us…let’s see what happens next”

14. War in Cuba “not as easy”
Prior to US declaring war, Congress recognizes Cuba as an independent nation and adopts “Teller Amendment”
> Once Cuba free, they will be governed by own people
Cuban Battle more difficult due to several challenges-
* Not properly uniformed
* Not properly rationed ROUGH RIDERS
* Many Soldiers were volunteers
Rough Riders were seasoned group of
cowboys, ranchers, miners, athletes primarily
from southwest part of United States

15. Rough Riders

16. Battleground Cuba
July 1, Most famous U.S. victories- Battle of San Juan Hills and Battle of Kettle Hill
US- 8,000 Soldiers from 9th and 10th Cav Divisions (African-American)
“Buffalo Soldiers” and the “Rough Riders”
July 3, US navy sinks entire Spanish fleet off coast of Cuba in Battle of Santiago (two weeks later, Spanish troops in Cuba surrender)
Aug US forces defeat
Spanish forces in Puerto Rico

17. Rough Riders charge San Juan Hill

19. Spain’s Loss is U.S. Gain Spain’s Loss U.S. Gains
Gets 20 million for Philippines
Gives up claims to Cuba
Loses control of Guam and Puerto Rico, Wake Island
U.S. Gains
Control of Philippines
Puerto Rico, Wake Island and Guam (US Protectorate)
War costs 250 Million
2K Soldiers died (mainly disease)
Biggest Change After War: United States enters into the ranks of an Imperialist Nation

20. Acquiring New Lands The U.S had to decide how to rule the new lands
Puerto Rico wanted their independence– but the U.S. had other plans
Puerto Rico was important to the U.S. strategically
The U.S. set up a civil government, full citizenship, and a bicameral system
J-Lo hails from Puerto Rico

21. Today the U.S. has a prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
The Treaty of Paris granted full independence to Cuba
The U.S signed an agreement with Cuba known as the Platt Amendment 1903
Lets U.S. maintain naval stations on the island and gave us right to intervene in Cuban affairs
Cuba had become a “protectorate” of the U.S.
Today the U.S. has a prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

22. Annexing the Philippines
Post-War- Growing debate over U.S. annexing the Philippine Islands
Feb 6, U.S. annexes Philippines which angers Filipino nationalists (one ruler to another)
1899- Fighting between U.S. and Filipinos for next 3 years
> Aguinaldo captured by US Forces
> 220K Filipinos died
> 4K US Soldiers died
US appoints governor over Philippines with gradual Filipino entry into government July 4, US grants full independence to Philippine Islands
Pro-Annexation
Anti-Annexation
US duty to spread values overseas
Violates idea of self-government
Duty to educate and Christianize Filipinos
Spread of American racism to foreign land
Obtain Philippine resources
Spread of foreign emigrants to U.S.
Keep control to avoid Japan owning them