1. The Spanish-American War

2. The Causes of the War  American businessmen coveted trade with Cuban sugar plantations.  When Jose Marti led a revolution against Spain in Cuba, the businessmen backed him to ensure trade was maintained.  What was this similar to?  Newspaper publishers stretched the happenings in Cuba to attract readers– known as yellow journalism.  Yellow journalism sensationalized (exaggerated) events to make Americans more sympathetic.  When the U.S.S. Maine exploded, there was a rush to blame Spain, fueled by American nationalism.  This was a prime example of the ‘yellow journalism’ tactics  The cause was found to be an engine explosion, instead.

4. Fighting During the War  The Philippines and Cuba were both ruled by the Spanish.  The US went after these locations in retaliation.  Commodore George Dewey’s fleet attacked the Spanish by sea, while Filipino freedom fighter, Emilio Aguinaldo, led a group that employed guerilla warfare.  Before openly supporting Cuba, the U.S. agreed not to annex Cuba after the war under the Teller Amendment.  Theodore Roosevelt led a voluntary cavalry unit known as the Rough Riders. They were credited with the taking of the strategic location of San Juan Hill, along with African American units, a very strategic vantage point

5. Effects of the War  After the war, the U.S. and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris (1898). These were the stipulations:  Spain would give up control of Puerto Rico, Guam and Cuba;  The U.S. acquired the Philippines from Spain for $20 million  America’s new role as a world power was not shared by all.  The debate over the Philippines separated the U.S. into two factions: imperialists and anti-imperialists, signifying a major division amongst the American people.  The treaty (as it stood) was ratified by 1 vote in the Senate.  One of its greatest opponents was Henry Cabot Lodge.

6. The United States and East Asia

7. Filipinos Rebel Against U.S. Rule  While Filipinos saw the U.S. as allies during the Spanish- American War, they soon plotted to overthrow the U.S. rule.  They were led by Emilio Aguinaldo.  They employed guerilla warfare tactics such as surprise raids and hit-and-run attacks, which they had also used on the Spanish.  The U.S. responded by imprisoning Filipinos.  In 1901, William Howard Taft became governor of the Philippines.  To ease tensions, he ordered the construction of schools, roads and bridges– things to improve the country.

8. The United States Pursues Interests in China  European countries saw China as a place of valuable resources. They broke China into spheres of influence, or assigned areas of trade.  The U.S. was not included in the assigning.  Secretary of State John Hay saw a need for U.S. trade with China, so he proposed an ‘Open Door’ Policy.  Under this policy, the U.S. would agree not to colonize China, but simply be able to trade with the country.  The Boxer Rebellion, between the Japanese and Chinese rebels created tension in the region.