1. McKinley’s Diplomatic Approach McKinley wanted to avoid war and take a diplomatic approach Successful at first but doesn’t last long Spain recalled Weyler Modified concentration policy and offered limited self- government De Lôme Letter- February 1898 Private letter written by Spanish Minister to the U.S. Enrique Dupuy de Lôme Called and criticized McKinley for being weak and a “bidder for admiration of the crowd” Americans angered by insult

2. U.S.S. Maine Explodes!

3. U.S.S. Maine Explodes cont. U.S.S. Maine blew up on February 15, 1898 Sent to bring home American citizens in danger No one really knew why or how it exploded but journalists exaggerated the reports April 20, 1898- Congress agreed and declared war against Spain War in the Caribbean Naval blockade of Cuba Admiral William T. Sampson sealed the harbors 125,000 Americans volunteered to fight Rough Riders 1 st United States Volunteer Calvary led by Theodore Roosevelt

4. Defeating the Spanish (CUBA) San Juan Hill Most famous land battle- very strategic hill Rough Riders played a minor role Roosevelt declared hero Spanish fleet destroyed while trying to escape Cuba U.S. invaded Puerto Rico on July 25, 1898

5. Spanish-American War in the Philippines Spanish-American War began in the Philippines before it struck in Cuba April 30, 1898- George Dewey steamed the navy into Manila harbor and opened fire on the fleet Dewey gathered support from Filipinos who wanted independence 11,000 Americans joined rebel forces led by Emilio Aguinaldo Spanish troops surrendered by August

6. Treaty of Paris Spain sold the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million Spain freed Cuba Imperialism- McKinley faces the decision of what to do with the Philippines. Civilize and Christianize them Filipinos had been Christian for years Should the Philippines be annexed? The treaty decided that the U.S. now included Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines