1. Spanish American War

2. The Cuban Rebellion Cuba colony of Spain
Sugar cane in Cuba made Spain very wealthy
Produced 1/3 of world’s sugar cane
1868 Cuban rebels declared independence and launched guerilla war against Spanish authorities
Guerilla Warfare: surprise, hit & run attacks

3. Cuban Rebellion con’t Cuban Rebellion failed Many leaders fled to US
Jose Marti brought together Cuban exiles living in the US
Raised funds, purchased weapons, and trained troops to launch 2nd invasion
New rebellion began in February 1895
September 1895 rebels seized control of eastern Cuba, declared independence and established the Republic of Cuba

4. America Supports Cuba
1) Compared Cuban’s struggle to American Revolution
2) Yellow Journalism – sensationalist reports where writers often exaggerated or made up stories to attract readers
Dramatic stories of Spanish atrocities were published in New York Journal (Hearst) and New York World (Pulitzer)
Newspapers tried to compete with one another
Only got info from Cuban side (biased)

5. America Supports Cubans con’t
3) General Weyler appointed as governor of Cuba (Feb. 10, 1896)
His harsh policies earned him the nickname ‘The Butcher’
He forced Cuban villagers into ‘reconcentration camps’ to keep them from aiding rebels
1/3 in the camps died of starvation and disease
4) deLome letter (Feb. 8) – intercepted a letter from Spain’s ambassador to the US that ridiculed President McKinley for being weak’
Americans outraged at the insult

6. Explosion of the Maine Feb. 15, 1898
USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor
Still unsure if spontaneous combustion of coal bunker or a mine
Americans believed it was an act of sabotage and demanded we go to war
April 19 Congress declared Cuba an independent nation, demanded Spain withdraw, and authorized the President to use force
April 24 Spain declared war on the US

7. A War on Two Fronts: Philippines
Philippines was a Spanish colony
Commodore Dewey ordered to attack Spanish squadron in the Philippines so it could not travel east and attack the US
Battle of Manila Bay – May 1, 1898 – Dewey and his 4 ships opened fire on 8 Spanish warships
Quick victory surprised US officials
American ground troops not yet there to help
While waiting on American troops Dewey contacted Filipino revolution leader Emilio Aguinaldo for help
Aguinaldo took most of Filipino islands while US took the Philippine capital of Manila
Philippines surrendered August 14, 1898

8. A War on Two Fronts: Cuba
Americans not prepared for war
Lacked resources to train and equip troops
Most died in training camps due to unsanitary conditions causing disease/epidemics
Rough Riders – mix of cowboys, miners, and law officers who were volunteer fighters
Second in command – Teddy Roosevelt
Buffalo Soldiers – all black Cavalry Regiments – ¼ of American troops in Cuba were African American

9. Cuba con’t
July 1, 1898 American troops attacked El Caney, San Juan Heights,
Rough Riders take Ketttle Hill & San Juan Hill
Spanish commander in Santiago harbor panicked and ordered fleet out of harbor on July 3rd
American warships attacked Spanish fleet as they were trying to leave
2 weeks later the Spanish troops in Santiago surrendered and American troops soon occupied Spanish colony of Puerto Rico
August 12 – Spain agreed to ceasefire

10. American Empire
Debate over what Americans should do over newly acquired land
Teller Amendment – said once Cuba was free the US would leave and it would get independence
US annexed Guam and Puerto Rico

11. American Empire: What to do with the Philippines?
For annexation:
Military: Pacific Naval base
Ideology: Teach less civilized people American values (education, Christianity)
Economic: Trade stop on way to China, and large market
Against annexation:
Competition from cheap Filipino labor would drive down US wages
Believed imperialism violated American principles

12. Treaty of Paris December 10, 1898 –
Cuba would become independent nation
US acquires Puerto Rico and Guam
US pay 20 million for Philippines

13. Cuba and the Platt Amendment
US made Cuba a protectorate: country that’s partly controlled by a stronger one
President McKinley wanted to make sure Cuba was tied to the US
Cuba created own constitution with attached conditions
Platt Amendment:
1) Cuba could not make treaty with any other nation that would weaken its independence
2) Cuba had to allow the US to buy or lease naval stations in Cuba
3) Cuba had to keep debts low to prevent foreign countries from enforcing payments
4) US had the right to intervene to protect Cuban independence and keep order

14. Governing Puerto Rico
Foraker Act (1900) – established civil government for the island
Not US citizens so no constitutional rights
Congress gradually allowed Puerto Ricans gradual self-government
1917 – granted Puerto Ricans American citizenship
1947 – Puerto Ricans allowed to elect their own governor
Continued debate over whether Puerto Rico should be a state, gain independence, or continue as commonwealth

15. Rebellion in Philippines
Filipinos furious over annexation
Fought for Independence only to trade it for US control
Aguinaldo called his troops to attack American soldiers lasting 3 years
4,300 American troops died
50,000 – 200,000 Filipino deaths
Bad: developed reconcentration camps for Filipinos to separate civilians from rebels but thousands died from disease and starvations
Good: Tried to win Filipinos over by improving transportation, education and healthcare
Aguinaldo captured in March of 1901
He told guerillas to surrender
July 4, 1902 US declared the war over
US started giving Philippines more freedom
1946 – granted independence to Philippines