1. The Spanish-American War

2. U.S. Interests in Cuba American sugar cane Plantations
Businessmen saw Cuba as
a new market for American
Products
Cubans wanted their
freedom from SPAIN

3. Jose Marti “Cuba Libre”
Poet, journalist, political activist, & teacher
Waged Cuban war for independence in 1895
Used hit-and-run raids against the Spanish
“Cuba Libre”

4. General Valeriano Weyler
Sent to end Cuban revolt
Placed people in reconcentration camps
Did not intend to kill civilians
Individuals outside the camps were revolutionaries

5. “Butcher” Weyler 500,000 Cuban people in camps Tens of thousands died
from disease and starvation
Spanish brutality aroused
American sympathy for the
Cuban people

6. REACTION!!!
President McKinley warned that the U.S. would intervene if the Spanish did not establish peace
General Weyler recalled & reconcentration camps abolished
Spain created a CUBAN colony
Rebels insisted on independence—Spain refused

7. Yellow Journalism & the War
Joseph Pulitzer
New York World
William Randolph Hearst
New York Journal
“You furnish the pictures & I’ll furnish the war”
Intensified American public’s hostility towards Spain
Exaggerated Spanish brutality

8. The U.S.S Maine
Battleship Maine was stationed at the Havana harbor to protect American citizens in Cuba
Sailors were told to stay out of Cuban harbor clubs
Sending the NAVY becomes an American practice!!!

9. The de Lome Letter
1898- The Journal published the letter of de Lome- Spain’s ambassador to Washington, D. C.
Stolen by Cuban rebels
Called McKinley weak and stupid
“Worst Insult to the United States in Its History”
Fueled Jingoism—aggressive nationalism

10. U.S.S Maine EXPLOSION The ship exploded in Havana the harbor
266 American died
Spain immediately
accused
Naval board of inquiry
concluded that a mine
caused the explosion
At the time, most
blamed Spain
UNCLEAR EVEN TODAY

14. “Remember the Maine!”
April 11, 1898—McKinley asked Congress to declare war
McKinley offered 4 reasons for
the US to intervene
“put an end to the horrible miseries in Cuba”
Protect the lives and property of US citizens living in Cuba
End injury to American trade.”
End the “constant menace to American peace” arising from disorders in Cuba.

15. TELLER AMENDMENT Congress will only help Cuba get her independence
We have no other interest
Our presence will end with the conflict!!!

16. America Goes to War U.S. Navy blockaded Cuban ports
McKinley called for more than 100,000 volunteers
200,000 men enlisted
Spain declared war on the United States

17. Battle in Manila Bay First battle of the war
Spain’s main base was in the Philippines
Filipinos were also trying to gain their independence
May 1, 1898—commodore George Dewey entered Manila Bay
quickly destroyed Spanish fleet

19. Emilio Aguinaldo Leader of the Filipino Revolution 2. Helped Dewey and
American forces on line
3. Dewey’s men were sailors
not invaders
4. Important in fighting Spain

20. The War in Cuba June 1898—arrival of American troops
U.S. Marines captured Guantanamo Bay and marched ashore
Troops were poorly trained & supplied
Heavy wool uniforms
Out of date weapons
Rotting/contaminated food

21. Army Units!! Several State National Guard units Regular army units
African American Ninth &
Tenth Cavalry regiments
nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers”
Theodore Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders”
10th Cavalry Regimental Coat Of Arms

22. ROUGH RIDERS Commanded by Theodore Roosevelt
Made up of Cowboys, Civil War Veterans and Buffalo soldiers
Asked to defend the Hills around Santiago, Cuba
Become famous for the charges at San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill

23. Rough riders

25. PUERTO RICO INVASION!
1. U.S. used the War to KICK the SPANISH out of Puerto Rico. 2. We were seen as heroes 3. Once present we never left 4. Puerto Ricans called us – YANKEE PERIL

26. The End of the War
July 3, 1898—Spanish navy tried to escape from the harbor at Santiago
U.S. forces destroyed the Spanish fleet
Spain surrendered in Cuba, Puerto Rico and Philippines
Spain lost between 55,000 – 60,000 men
U.S lost 3,000 – only 380 in battle
MOST DIED OF DISEASES

27. The Treaty of Paris “splendid little war” Secretary of State John Hay
War officially ended & Treaty signed
Spain gave up Cuba, Puerto Rico & Guam
Sold Philippines to U.S. for $ 20 million
Cuba was given independence, but the U.S. gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines

28. Debate over the Philippines
America should control Philippines protect, educate, and civilize Filipinos
Anti-imperialist League
William J. Bryan & Mark Twain
Imperialism was a crime & went against principles of democracy
Senate APPROVED the TREATY
1899-US annexed the Philippines to the dismay of the Filipinos

29. Aftermath Ended Spanish Empire McKinley wins re-election
“hero of San Juan Hill” Teddy Roosevelt is V.P.
American enters into world affairs & imperialism
Filipino revolution continues for years
Caribbean nations fear America interests

30. The United States Navy Roosevelt influenced by Alfred T. Mahan
Promoted a strong navy to protect American interests in Asia
Congress supported the Great White Fleet
1907 world cruise showed America’s increased military power