SpanishAmerican War SpanishAmerican War Late 1800s Spains empire

Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War • Late 1800’s Spain’s empire in the western hemisphere included only 2 Caribbean islands: Puerto Rico and Cuba. • In 1895 the Cuban people revolted against the Spanish government. The Spanish reacted harshly. • Americans became upset over the treatment and the loss of businesses and lives. • President Mc. Kinley sent the USS Maine to Cuba to protect the lives and property of Americans in Cuba. (January 1898)

Spanish-American War • February 15, 1898: a huge explosion destroyed the USS Maine killing 260 Americans. We do not know exactly what caused the explosion, but newspapers at the time reported that it was Spain that caused the explosion. The false and exaggerated reporting of an event is known as yellow journalism. • America declares war on Spain on April 25, 1898…. beginning the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War • Spanish Colonies: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines and Guam. • America’s Plan was to destroy the Spanish fleets in the Pacific, which would allow the US to control the Philippines lead to more trade with China. • Theodore Roosevelt organized a group of fighting soldiers known as the Rough Riders. • African American units, known as Buffalo Soldiers, were also sent to fight.

Spanish-American War • July 1, 1898 troops reached Spain’s main troops in Cuba. • Battle of San Juan Hill: American forces defeated the Spanish and destroyed the Spanish fleet in Cuba. • August 1898 the US and Spain agreed to end the war.

Results of Spanish-American War • US gained control of Puerto Rico, Philippines and Guam. • CUBA gained its own independence, but remained under US protection for a few years. • Philippines remained a US territory until 1946. • Guam and Puerto Rico are still a part of the US, and their people are US citizens. • With this quick win, the US showed itself to be very powerful and emerged as one of the most powerful nations in the world. • Roosevelt became a national hero and soon president of the US.

Recap… What were some positives of Manifest Destiny? As a result of economic development, the US became a leading industrial producer, which helped the US rise to world power. New territories that led to huge economic payoffs. • Alaska • Hawaii • The Philippines

Why was it important for the US to annex territories so close to China? – economic gain for the US • Hawaii was important because it ships could refuel before traveling on to China and trade goods in the markets. • The Philippines was important because it gave the US easy access to the open markets in China. Philippines Hawaii