Spanish-American War
and
Imperialism
Pgs. 279-281
Imperialism
• After the United States took control of
Alaska and Hawaii, some people accused
the country’s leaders of imperialism.
• Imperialism – empire building
• The U.S. also began to come into conflict
with European nations that had spread
beyond their borders, too – especially
Spain.
Trouble with Spain
• By the end of the 1800s, Cuba and Puerto
Rico were the only two colonies Spain had
left in the Western Hemisphere.
• Cuba wanted its independence from Spain
and tried two times to become and
independent nation but failed both times.
(1868 and 1895)
• Many Americans supported Cuba’s fight to
win their independence.
Trouble with Spain
• In 1898 President McKinley sent the
Battleship Maine to Havana, Cuba.
• On Feb. 15 the Maine exploded killing 200
American soldiers.
• It was not clear why the ship blew up, but
the United States blamed Spain.
• Many Americans demanded that Spain be
held accountable!
War with Spain
• On April 25, 1898 the United States
declared war on Spain.
• Theodore Roosevelt volunteered to fight.
He led a group called the Rough Riders
and took part in the Battle of San Juan Hill.
• The Rough Riders were mostly cowhands
and college athletes.
• The Rough Riders were also part of the
Siege of Santiago.
Siege of Santiago.
• A siege is an attack that lasts for a long
time.
• It ended on July 17, 1898.
• The Spanish-American War lasted less
than four months.
• Approximately 5,000 American soldiers
died, most from diseases such as Malaria
and yellow fever.
Results
• With the signing of the peace treaty with
Spain, America gained control of Cuba,
Guam, the Philippine Islands, and Puerto
Rico.
• Cuba became an independent country in
1901 followed by the Philippines in 1946.
• Guam and Puerto Rico are still
possessions of the United States.
Theodore Roosevelt
• Roosevelt was popular with Americans
following the war.
• He was asked to be President McKinley’s
Vice-President.
• In 1901 President McKinley was shot in
Buffalo, New York and died eight days
later.
• Roosevelt then became President.
Theodore Roosevelt
• Roosevelt was a man of action.
• He felt the U.S. should use its power to
influence events in the world.
• He thought that what happened in the rest
of the world affected the U.S.
• Because of his work, he became the first
American to receive the Nobel Peace
Prize.