1. Spanish American War
Imperialism: a period of time when strong countries take over weak countries

2. U.S. Helps Cuba The United States trades with Cuba Spain controls Cuba
Cuba wants independence from Spain
America promises to support Cuba’s independence in order to protect our business

3. U.S. Helps Cuba 1898- President McKinley is hoping to avoid war
Extreme journalists call for war (yellow journalism)
Joseph Pulitzer
William Randolph Hearst
McKinley sends the USS Maine- a ship- to Cuba

4. USS Maine EXPLODES! On Feb 15, 1898- the USS Maine blew up!
No one knows what caused the explosion
Yellow Journalists blamed Spain
They called for war!
On April 20, 1898 the US declared war on Spain

5. Causes of the War USS Main Explodes.
Protect American business in Cuba.
America supports Cuba’s independence from Spain.
Yellow Journalists call for war.

6. The Spanish American War
War lasts from April to August 1898
Only 460 Americans die in battle
5,200 Americans die of disease
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt has the Navy battle Spanish ships in the Philippines and destroy Spanish fleet in the Pacific

7. Rough Riders Roosevelt volunteers as a Rough Rider
The Rough Riders battle Spain in Puerto Rico
Theodore Roosevelt becomes a national hero.
The US Army defeats Spain at the Battle of San Juan Hill in Puerto Rico
The United States wins the war in less than 5 months

8. Outcome of the War Cuba gains their independence
United States becomes a world power
Territories (US controls all 3):
Puerto Rico
Guam
The Philippines

9. After the War
After the Spanish American War, America was a world power
We held territories in Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam
After McKinley is shot in 1901, Roosevelt becomes president