The United States Emerges as a World Power

The United States Emerges as a World Power Chapter 17 Section 2 The Spanish-American War

Revolt Against Spanish Rule n n Cubans revolted against Spain in 1895 • Used guerrilla warfare • Also used terrorism “Butcher” Weyler (Spanish General) put in charge of stopping rebellion The Spanish responded in brutal fashion n Places Cuban rebels in concentration camps n Killed roughly 200 k Cuban civilians Most Americans sided with the Cubans • Small power vs a larger European country • Newspapers very biased and supported the Cubans n Made up or exaggerated stories “yellow journalism”

Revolt Against Spanish Rule n n Publishers did this to increase readership • William Randolph Hearst: publisher of The Journal • Joseph Pulitzer: The World • Increased readership to 1. 5 million/day Spread “jingoism” • Intense national pride n n n US MUST intervene to help hapless Cubans President Cleveland declined to intervene and adopted policy of neutrality Mc. Kinley refused to continue to allow Spain to crush Cuban rebellion by “any means necessary”

President Mc. Kinley Acts n n n Mc. Kinley sent money to Cuba Sent a letter to Spain asking to be the arbitrator (judge) • Spain refuses February 1898, US-Spain relations hurt by the de Lome letter. • de Lome was Spanish representative to US n Criticizes Mc. Kinley • "It shows once more that Mc. Kinley is weak and catering to the rabble and, besides, a low politician who desires to leave a door open to himself and to stand well with the jingos of his party. “ • Hearst publishes letter n American people angry with Spain • Spain apologizes and fires de Lome but damage is done

President Mc. Kinley Acts n n n Sent the USS Maine to Havana to protect US interests and pressure Spain Feb 15, 1898 the USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana killing 260 sailors Although there was no evidence linking the Spanish to the explosion, the yellow press and American public blamed Spain • “Remember the Maine” n Asst. Sec of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt acts before war actually declared by Congress • Be ready to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines

Splendid Little War n n US declares war against Spain Attacks Spanish fleet in Philippines • Admiral Dewey destroys fleet in 7 hrs n n Navy blocks Spain’s fleet in Cuba Speed of victory surprised everyone as new US Navy put to use

“Splendid Little War” n Army was less prepared in Cuba • Roosevelt resigned as Asst. Sec. of the Navy to raise a volunteer regiment n n Landed at Santiago and captured San Juan Hill, causing Spanish to flee the harbor n n Known as “Rough Riders” Fled into waiting American fleet, which sunk Spanish ships US Navy then took Puerto Rico Spain requested Peace in July and an armistice was signed Battle losses VERY low (around 400) but disease took 2500 lives

The Spanish-American War Chapter 17, Section 2

Results n n n Treaty of Paris signed in December 1898 ended the war US took the following: Puerto Rico, Guam Cuba granted independence that the US was to supervise US purchased the Philippines from Spain for $20 million • What do we do with it? “Splendid Little War? ”

New Challenges After the War Chapter 17, Section 2 The Philippines n Mc. Kinley’s arguments for annexation: • unfit for self-government. • Independence would bring anarchy. • U. S. must “civilize” them n Fought a 3 -yr war for independence. • 4 k Americans killed • 16 k Filipino soldiers lost n n Over 200 k civilians Didn’t gain complete independence until 1946. Cuba n Mc. Kinley installed military govt to protect US business n Cuba wrote a constitution in 1900 that didn’t allow for U. S. involvement. n U. S. government only agreed to remove troops if Cuba included the Platt Amendment. • • • n n Cuba can not enter any foreign agreements US can intervene in Cuban affairs whenever necessary Must allow US to establish naval bases Cuba accepts and Platt Amendment in place until 1934 Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay still exists

United States Acquisitions and Annexations 1857 -1904 Chapter 17, Section 2

Other Gains n n n Hawaii became increasingly important to United States business interests (sugar and fruit) • Leased Pearl Harbor to the US as a fueling and repair station for naval vessels Queen Liliuokalani, angry over US business influence, declared that she had absolute power and wanted Americans out • Sanford Dole (Of the fruit company) and US Marines removed Queen and declared Hawaii independent • US annexed in 1898 China: huge population & vast markets became very important to American trade. • John Hay tries to convince Europe to keep China open to “sphere’s of influence” • Open Door Policy: United States would have equal access to China’s millions of consumers.