Introduction to the Spanish American War U S

Introduction to the Spanish. American War U. S. History Mrs. Janiak PLHS

A. Map of Cuba and the Gulf of Mexico • Cuba was a Spanish colony • U. S. had $ invested in Cuba since the Civil War, mostly in sugar plantations • A Cuban revolt began from hatred of Spanish rule and frustration over falling sugar prices. • Spain imprisoned rebels with brutal treatment

B. Explosion of the U. S. battleship Maine • 1898 President Mc. Kinley ordered the battleship into Havana Harbor to protect U. S. citizens and property against the Cuban rebellion and Spanish hostility. • A huge explosion destroyed the battleship, killing 260 sailors • There was no conclusive evidence to explain who had sunk the Maine…

C. Newspaper headline of the Maine explosion • Newspapers in the U. S. called for U. S. intervention in Cuba to avenge what they believed was an act of Spanish aggression. • This is typed of journalism is called- “yellow journalism: ” reporters purposely tried to stir up emotions and sell more papers without paying much attention to the real facts. • Anti-Spanish feeling was also spread by a group of Cubans in New York

D. Political cartoon • Rebel publicity fed to newspapers to stir up Cuban support • President Mc. Kinley originally opposed U. S. military action against Spain, even proposing a cease-fire between Spain and Cuban rebels. • Mc. Kinley later fell to public and political pressure- war broke out between the U. S. and Spain in the Philippines May 1, 1898

E. Outbreak of War in the Philippines • The Philippines were another Spanish colony. • Leading a command from Hong Kong, Commodore George Dewey sunk the entire Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila, only 1 American died • Dewey obtained the help from Filipino patriot Emilio Aguinaldo, who organized an uprising against Spanish forces. • Aguinaldo was under the impression that the U. S. would grant the Philippines independence after Spain was defeated… or so he thought….

F. Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders • T. R. commanded a volunteer unit of cowboys, college students and adventurers to Cuba. • Their determination and spirit became legendary after their charge up San Juan Hill surrounding Santiago, taking control. • U. S. Navy sunk the Spanish fleet in a one-sided battle in Santiago Harbor= end to the Spanish colonization in Cuba. • U. S. then turned their attention to Spanish- controlled Puerto Rico, which the U. S. conquered.

H. United States Colored Calvary • U. S. troops were segregated during the Spanish-American War • Very crucial to the U. S. success, the 9 th and 10 th Colored Calvaries did not receive a fraction of the praise that the Rough Riders did. • U. S. soldiers fighting in this war also dealt with: – Typhoid – Yellow fever – Death by tainted meat

I. Cartoon of Uncle Sam • U. S. involvement and victory did not end involvement for the U. S. in Cuba after the war. • Mc. Kinley set up a military government while Cuba drafted their Constitution. • U. S. insisted that their Constitution include the Platt Amendment: limiting Cuba’s foreign interaction and gave the U. S. the right to establish naval bases on the island, sending troops if needed to keep order. • Signing the peace treaty with Spain. U. S. acquired: – Philippines – Guam – Puerto Rico