The SpanishAmerican War and Growth of US Imperialism

The Spanish-American War and Growth of US Imperialism US History Mrs. Housenick 10/24/12

US Expansionism in the 1800 s Why new interest in imperialism? 1. End of Manifest Destiny: --Between 1830 -1880 US believed God wanted them to take over all land to the Pacific Ocean --By 1880, no more land on continental US to take over. --US would have to look overseas for more land 2. Industrialization meant US was searching for new markets to sell products/buy raw materials

US Expansionism in the 1800 s ctnd. Why new interest in imperialism ctnd: › 3. Important book by Alfred T. Mahan argued US could only become powerful if acquired overseas naval bases › 4. Anglo-Saxonism: Idea that God favored Anglo race, was their job to spread their goodness to rest of world Ex: Rudyard Kipling: “White Man’s Burden” poem Josiah Strong—urged US missionaries to spread Christianity overseas

Revolution in Cubans struggling for independence from Spain Why does US care? › Cuba so close to US › Genuine sympathy for Cubans › MOST IMPORTANT: US owned sugar plantations in Cuba—saw economic potential in independent Cuba US helps escaped Cuban Jose Marti with weapons and money

Revolution in Cuba ctnd. Jose Marti starts revolution Followers burned sugar fields, attack Spanish officials Spanish respond harshly › Set up reconcentration camps on Cuba to imprison rebels Americans worried about our sugar plantations, concerns about reconcentration camps President Mc. Kinley however, wants to avoid war!

The Maine Incident US orders battleships Maine to patrol coasts of Cuba February 1898: explosion destroys Maine, kills 260 Americans on-board Everyone blames Spanish! › “Remember the Maine! To war with Spain!” Really no proof, much later realize explosion caused by accident in ship’s boiler room.

Yellow Journalism Pushes US Toward War Yellow Journalism: sensational headlines and stories, exaggerated details to get readers attention. Two main publishers: › William Randolph Hearst › Joseph Pulitzer Used newspapers to exaggerate situation in Spain, esp. Maine incident Newspaper responsible for getting Americans to want to go to war April 1898: US declares war on Spain to help Cuba become independent.

The Outbreak of War in the Philippines US launches surprise attack on Philippines— also a Spanish colony Needed help of Filipinos to capture Manila Made a deal with Emilio Aguinaldo—Filipino freedom fighter › Aguinaldo gave American army soldiers in exchange for US promise that we would make sure Philippines gets independence after war › US later denies making this promise!

The War in Cuba Rough Riders: Most famous regiment of troops—fought in Cuba › Led by Theodore Roosevelt › Diverse group of rowdy, adventurous men › Inexperienced, but determined, played a major role in our quick victory over the Spanish in Cuba Spanish surrendered soon after US invasion of Cuba and Puerto Rico US ambassador John Hay calls war “splendid little war” › Only four months, US gained a lot of land › 385 soldiers killed in action, but 5, 000 died in army camps from disease

The US Emerges as an Imperial Power Treaty of Paris ends war with Spain › Cuba gets independence › Spain cedes Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines to the US for $20 million Cuba: US continued involvement in Cuba because thought they weren’t ready to be independent › Forced Cuba to pass Platt Amendment—Cuba must check with US before signing agreements with other countries, allows US to establish naval base on Cuba How we got Guantanamo Bay US LIMITED CUBA’S INDEPENDENCE!!!

The US Emerges as an Imperial Power ctnd. Philippines: US also says they are “unfit” for selfgovernment › Betray our promise to Aguinaldo and make the Philippines as US colony › Filipinos fight US for three years, many killed › Philippines stays US colony until 1940 s US is now a world power! › Possess a huge overseas empire Not everyone supports › Some protested by forming Anti-Imperialist League