1. The Spanish American War and The United States and Latin America
Chapter 22 Sections 2-3
The Spanish American War and The United States and Latin America

2. Conflict in Cuba
In 1898, the U.S. sent the battleship USS Maine to Havana Harbor, Cuba
The Maine was sent to protect U.S. citizens and economic interests in Cuba

3. U.S.S. Maine
On Feb. 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine exploded and 266 Americans were killed
The cause of the explosion remained unclear
American newspapers immediately blamed Spain
“Remember the Maine!”

4. Yellow Journalism
The exaggeration of news stories for the purposes of attracting readers.

6. The Spanish American War
Angry American Congress declares war on Spain
The War occurs in two phases
PHASE 1: The Philippines
The Philippines was a Spanish Colony, and the US wanted to weaken Spain by winning a victory there
Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, without losing one American life.
The U.S. allied with Filipino rebel Emilio Aguinaldo to control the Philippines

8. The War in Cuba PHASE 2: CUBA
Led by the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry – The “Rough Riders” (cowboys, miners, college students, policemen, athletes, Native Americans & future Pres. Teddy Roosevelt)
Attacked stronghold of Santiago, Cuba – destroyed fleet as it was attempting to escape
Week later, the U.S. took Puerto Rico
Spain surrendered on August 12, 1898
Total war time: less than 3 months

10. Results of the War The U.S. received: The Philippines (colony)
Puerto Rico
Guam
The right to intervene in Cuba (Platt Amendment)
The status as a “World Power”

11. Results of the War
Treaty of Paris: Spain forced to give up Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba, and the Philippines
Cuba got independence – but only if they included the Platt Amendment: The U.S. had the right to intervene in Cuba anytime there was a threat to “life, property, and individual liberty”
The U.S. also got to build a Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Those against these policies helped form the Anti-Imperialist League: A group that opposed the creation of an American colonial empire

12. The United States in China
Other imperialist nations already involved in China (Japan, France, Britain, Germany, Russia) – Each with own Spheres of Influence (economic rights and special privileges)
Sec. of State John Hay wanted Open Door Policy: No single country gets monopoly on Chinese trade. Most Nations: Acceptable agreement
Angry Chinese, upset with many foreigners – Led to the Boxer Rebellion – foreigners killed and rebellion put down by force

15. The Panama Canal
The U.S. wanted a short-cut that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
First country to attempt: France
President Roosevelt sent troops to Colombia when they refused to sell us the land for the canal.
Troops helped support a revolution by a group called the Panamanians – when they won, they formed their own country of Panama

16. Panama Canal, con’t
Canal is built by using a series of “Locks” – which raise and lower ships across 50 mile isthmus
Took ten years to build –
Canal zone owned and operated by the U.S. until the year 2000 – now owned by Panama

17. Policing the Hemisphere
Teddy Roosevelt made it clear the U.S. would be dominant in Western Hemisphere.
Monroe Doctrine: Policy preventing other nations from intervening in Latin America
Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary: Still prevented European intervention, but added that U.S. could act as “Policeman” in region
We could “Intervene” in domestic affairs if it helped the ‘stability’ of the region

19. U.S. Interests in Latin America
President Taft promoted policy of Dollar Diplomacy – the influence of gov’ts in Latin Am. by economic means
Designed to promote U.S. business interests in region
Examples:
Loans to Nicaragua led to U.S. military involvement