The SpanishAmerican War Causes of the SpanishAmerican War

The Spanish-American War

Causes of the Spanish-American War How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War? American Business Owners Urged U. S. intervention to protect American business interests in Cuba

Causes of the Spanish-American War How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War? José Martí Provoked U. S. intervention against Spain by deliberately destroying American-owned sugar mills and plantations (“Cuba Libre!”) ?

Causes of the Spanish-American War How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War? Valeriano Weyler Spanish general; took harsh actions against the Cuban people, including forcibly removing them to concentration camps

Causes of the Spanish-American War How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War? Yellow journalism Newspapers exaggerated stories (Pulitzer/Hearst); encouraged the American public to sympathize with Cuban rebels and the war

Causes of the Spanish-American War How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War? De Lôme letter Written by Spanish minister to U. S. ; angered the American public because of its criticism of President Mc. Kinley (“weak”)

Search for Missing Bride Continues Bride Missing! Groom’s Family Blame History of Mental Illness • What does each headline imply? • If these were articles, which would you have wanted to read first? • Which do you think would have been the most reliable story? Why? • Why might different newspapers choose to present the same event so differently?

Explosion of the U. S. S. Maine Havana Harbor, 1898 • Cuba was colonized by Spain. • Cuban rebels had been fighting for independence. • Spain was thought to be brutal in repressing the rebellion. • U. S. had business interests in Cuba. • President Mc. Kinley had sent the Maine to Cuba (Why? To protect American interests? To prepare for war? To intimidate Spain? This is debated by historians. . . ). • Maine explodes on Feb 15, 1898. Who sunk the Maine?

“Awake United States!” This song was rushed into print between the sinking of the Maine on February 15, 1898, and the declaration of war on April 25, 1898. Eagle soar on high, and sound the battle cry! And how proudly sailed the warship Maine, a Nation’s pride, without a stain! A wreck she lies, her sailors slain. By two-faced butchers, paid by Spain! Eagle soar on high, And sound the battle cry Wave the starry flag! In mud it shall not drag!

Who Sunk the Maine? Document Publication Date According to this article, what happened to the Maine? What information is included to support this version of the story? Write a quotation that contrasts with something written in the other article. New York Journal New York Times On the back of your paper: Compare the evidence used by both newspapers to support their claims about what happened to the Maine. Address each of the following: • Which newspaper uses stronger evidence? Explain. • Which account do you find more believable? Why?

• Discussion Debrief – Do you know what happened to the Maine? – What evidence do you have for your answer? Give an example where the reporter uses solid evidence to support a claim made in the article. – Do you think these articles would have been received differently by their readers in 1898? How so? – How significant do you think the Maine explosion was to the American people at this time? Why? • Free-Write – Which account is more believable? Why? • First section: Compare the evidence used by both papers to support their claims that the Maine was blown up by attack or by unknown causes. Which uses stronger evidence? Use at least three specific examples/phrases/words from the articles to support your position. • Second section: Does this difference in accounts matter? Why or why not?

Causes of the Spanish-American War How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War? U. S. S. Maine U. S. ship exploded in Havana harbor; led to widespread support for war with Spain; Mc. Kinley asked Congress to declare war Remember the Maine! And to hell with Spain!

“It has been a splendid little war. ” – John Hay

Effects of the Spanish-American War What happened as a result of the Spanish-American War? T. Roosevelt & the Rough Riders Volunteer cavalry who charged up San Juan Hill and defeated Spanish infantry; newspapers declared TR a hero

Effects of the Spanish-American War What happened as a result of the Spanish-American War? Treaty of Paris Ceasefire signed by U. S. and Spain; war lasted only 15 weeks

Effects of the Spanish-American War What happened as a result of the Spanish-American War? Cuba Achieved independence from Spain led to passage of the Platt Amendment (U. S. reserved the right to intervene in Cuba) but could not annex Cuba (Teller Amendment) and a strong U. S. naval presence in Cuba (Guantanamo Bay)

Effects of the Spanish-American War What happened as a result of the Spanish-American War? Puerto Rico Went from Spanish to American rule led to the Foraker Act (U. S. control of Puerto Rican government)

Effects of the Spanish-American War What happened as a result of the Spanish-American War? Guam Went from Spanish to American rule

Effects of the Spanish-American War What happened as a result of the Spanish-American War? Philippine Islands Sold by Spain to the U. S. ($20 million); annexed by the U. S. (led to the Philippine-American War)

Effects of the Spanish-American War What happened as a result of the Spanish-American War? America as an Imperialist Power? Some Americans felt a moral obligation to “civilize”; others thought imperialism violated the Declaration of Independence “There was nothing left for us to do but take them all [Philippine Islands], and to uplift the Filipinos, and uplift and Christianize them. ” – President William Mc. Kinley “My opinion is that the Philippines should be given the opportunity to govern themselves. ” – Booker T. Washington, believed America should settle race-related issues at home before taking on social problems abroad “If the Philippines are annexed…how can we prevent the Chinese…from going to the Philippines and from there swarm into the United States and engulf our people and our civilization? – Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor

Who Sunk the Maine? • Read the New York Journal and New York Times documents. • Respond to the following: – New York Journal • Sourcing 1. 2. How long after the explosion of the Maine was this article written? What does the headline of the article suggest about the newspaper’s point of view? • Close Reading 3. Upon what type of evidence does the New York Journal base its claims? – New York Times • Sourcing 1. How does the date of this article compare with the date on the New York Journal and Advertiser article? • Close Reading 2. 3. According to these headlines, what happened to the Maine? What kinds of evidence does the New York Times include to support its account of the incident?