Origins SpanishAmerican War Spain Spain had once been
Origins Spanish-American War
Spain • Spain had once been the greatest empire in the world • However, by 1890 Spain’s overseas empire had been reduced to Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and a few smaller islands
Cuba • Most Cubans were poor and worked manual labor • Worked on Sugar and Tobacco Plantations • The U. S. raised its tariff on foreign sugar (1894) • This made it hard for Cuba to export its sugar… which led to VERY high unemployment
Cuba’s Need for Independence • Jose Marti led a group of Cuban exiles (living in the U. S. ) back to Cuba to declare Cuba’s Independence • Spain sent the Spanish Army to crush the rebellion • Spain used VERY brutal methods to repress an uprising. To isolate rebels, entire villages were forced into camps surrounded by barbed wire. Many died of disease and starvation
Yellow Journalism • The events taking place in Cuba raised humanitarian concerns across the U. S. • New York World : Joseph Pulitzer • New York Journal : William Randolph Hearst • These newspapers DELIBERATELY sensationalized the news, depicting the Spaniards as murderous brutes in order to sell more newspapers (known as Yellow Journalism).
Yellow Journalism • The extremely unbalanced reporting increased the paper’s circulation • Gave American’s an inaccurate picture of events taking place in Cuba • American’s began to want to get involved • American’s wanted to protect their investments in Cuba and protect trade with Cuba.
Triggers (De Lome) • De Lome Letter: The Spanish Ambassador (De Lome) sent a letter that was intercepted and then Printed in U. S. newspapers. It called American President Mc. Kinley weak and outraged Americans. • How does that make a group of people look if their leader is “weak” and unable to do things?
Triggers (U. S. S. Maine) • Maine sent to Cuba to protect the lives and property of Americans that were in Cuba. • It was anchored in Havana Harbor • Exploded for unknown reasons. Even though the cause remained unknown, Hearst and Pulitzer newspapers blamed the Spanish for sabotage. • It sunk and killed 258 sailors and injured many others.
Triggers (U. S. S. Maine) • The Sinking of the U. S. S. Maine set off a firestorm of protests in the U. S. • Spanish government was willing to halt fighting against the Cuban rebels and open the camps full of Cuban prisoners, but refused to grant Cuba its independence. • Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain!!!
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