1. “It has been a splendid little war; begun with the highest motives, carried out with magnificent intelligence and spirit”
- Secretary of State John Hay, 1898
How is this description of war unusual?
Why would anti-imperialists and pacifists object to this description?

2. The Spanish American War (1898)
Underlying Causes
Economic - we desired trade with Spain’s colonies.
Humanitarian – we were concerned about Cuban people
Expansionist – we were competing for overseas territories
Immediate Causes
Yellow Journalism:
Exaggerated, false, or biased news reporting
Jingoism:
super patriotism and demand for government actions
Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine

3. Wreckage Photos

4. Wreckage of the U.S.S. Maine

5. W. R. Hearst
(& Joseph Pulitzer)

6. Yellow Journalism – exaggerated or false news reporting designed to gain support for the war

7. War in the Philippines

8. Events of the War
President McKinley asks Congress for war, Congress declares war in April.
War lasted 4 months. American victory is overwhelming.
Commodore Dewey defeated Spanish navy at Manila Bay, Philippines. (Major success for our new Navy)
U.S. land forces defeated Spanish in Cuba. (Teddy Roosevelt led “Rough Riders” at San Juan Hill.)
More soldiers died from disease than combat.

9. War in the Caribbean

10. Charging San Juan Hill

11. Territorial Gains
Peace treaty get US new territories: (under U.S. control)
Cuba
Guam
Puerto Rico
the Philippines
Some Americans formed the Anti-Imperialist League, opposing the creation of an American colonial empire.

12. U.S. Territories in the Pacific

13. New U.S. Territory
Cuba
U.S. military government put in place.
Commission was sent to Cuba to fight disease.
Constitution drafted and included Platt Amendment, allowing American intervention in Cuban affairs
Puerto Rico
Like Cubans and Filipinos, Puerto Ricans had hoped for independence.
Made a U.S. territory
Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917.
The Philippines
Spain surrendered Philippines for $20 million.
Filipinos revolted against U.S. control.
Conflict ended in 1902.
Congress passed Philippine Government Act in 1902.
Platt Amendment – U.S. had right to intervene in Cuba at any time (repealed in 1930’s).

14. To Imperialize or not to Imperialize?
Imperialists (in favor)
Economic need
Naval bases
White man’s Burden
Abandonment of territory is weak
Honorable to those who lost their lives
Anti-imperialist (opposed)
Financial burden
Solve problems at home
Non-whites should not be assimilated
More military involvement
Violation of democratic principle

15. American Empire (1898)
What does that mean for us? Can a democracy be a colonial power? How do we keep this empire? Should we keep it?

16. T.R. and U.S. Role in Latin America
The Panama Canal allowed the United States to become more involved in Latin America.
American military power grew stronger and allowed the United States to enforce the Monroe Doctrine.
President Roosevelt created a policy called the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine to force debtor nations to repay loans to Europe—the United States would intervene in any “wrongdoing” by Latin American countries.
The United States became the “international police power” in the Western Hemisphere.

17. The United States in Latin America

18. The Panama Canal

19. Promoting Interests in Latin America
President William Howard Taft acted to protect U.S. interests in Latin America.
Used dollar diplomacy policy—influencing governments through economic, not military, intervention
Loaned money to Nicaragua in exchange for control of the National Bank of Nicaragua and the railway
Sent U.S. Marines to Nicaragua in 1911 to protect American interests
Woodrow Wilson believed that the United States had a moral obligation to promote democracy.
Often sent troops into Latin America to prevent foreign intervention or political unrest
Sent troops to assist Mexico’s government in the Mexican Revolution

20. Foreign Policy Washington’s Farewell Address
United States will not become involved in European affairs.
Monroe Doctrine
United States will defend its interests in Western Hemisphere and keep European powers out.
Roosevelt Corollary
United States will police wrongdoing by nations in Western Hemisphere.
Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
United States will use economic means to aid its interests in Latin America.
Wilson and Democracy
The United States will promote and protect democracy in the Western Hemisphere.

21. Evolution of U.S. Foreign Policy

22. Review