Cuban Rebellion Should we get involved Simmering Unrest

Cuban Rebellion • Should we get involved?

Simmering Unrest in Cuba • Cubans launched a series of revolts against Spain beginning in 1868. • Valeriano Weyler was sent by Spain with 150, 000 Men to put down the rebellion. • José Marti moved to New York City in 1878, continuing to agitate for Cuban independence through newspaper articles and poetry. • Marti returned to Cuba to participate in a revolt in February 1895 but was killed, becoming a hero instantly.

Cuban Guerrillas • US refused to get involved • Cuban Guerrillas-Soldiers who fought using surprise tactics • Turned their attention to the destruction of American owned sugar Plantations and mills in Cuba • WHY?

Why did the US get involved? 1. Business owners were mad because they were losing money. • Business owners increased their pressure on the government to act. 2. Used Yellow Journalism to get Americans interested in what was going on in Cuba.

Spanish General Valeriano Weyler • Moved the entire rural population of Central and Western Cuba • 300, 000 filled camps where 1000 s died from hunger and disease • Yellow Journalism was used to sway American sentiment to the side of the rebels.

Yellow Journalism • Fabricated headlines & articles with little attention to the facts, designed to grab the attention & stir up emotions of readers • W. Randolph Hearst & Joseph Pulitzer – used Yellow Journalism to sell newspapers. – “Furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war. ” (Hearst) • Some stories were pure fabrications of Spanish cruelty & atrocity & continually called for U. S. intervention to halt Spanish aggression – Politicians listened to the public’s sentiments

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