The Spanish-American War of
1898
Prelude to a War
Unrest in Cuba
• By the 1890’s, Spain’s once
rich empire in the Western
Hemisphere had been reduced
to only Cuba and Puerto Rico.
• Americans had invested in
Cuba’s rich sugar industry
($50 M) since before the Civil
War and many wanted to
annex it.
• In 1895, Cuban nationals, led
by Jose Marti’, rebelled
against Spain. This conflict
became a violent guerilla war
and much American property
was destroyed.
Red = Spanish Possessions in 1898
Blue = Spanish Possessions in 1700
Guam
Spain Responds to the Rebellion
• Spain sent General
Valeriano Weyler and
150,000 troops to Cuba to
crush the revolt.
• His policy of
“reconcentration” led to
numerous atrocities and
400,000 Cubans died there
as he attempted to restore
order. Weyler was dubbed
“Butcher Weyler” by the
American Press and many
Americans wanted war.
Yellow Journalism
• The news media published
numerous accounts of
Spanish brutality.
• In NYC, two rival newspapers
fed the growing anti-Spanish
sentiment. William
Randolph Hearst’s NY
Journal and Joseph
Pulitzer’s NY World
practiced yellow
journalism - “Write anything
to sell a paper!”
Classic Yellow Journalism
Politicians Get War Fever
• Jingoism- an intense, warlike,
arrogant, national
pride; resulted from trumped
up news reports.
• The “jingos” favored an
aggressive policy to pursue
national expansion, even it
meant risking war with other
nations.
• This was fed by yellow
journalism as well as by
members of Congress.
Criticism of McKinley Adds Fire
• Spain’s Ambassador
Dupuy de Lome’s
letter (Feb 1898) was
published in U.S.
newspapers.
• He described
President McKinley
as “weak and a bidder
for the admiration of
the public.”
• Made Americans very
angry! Nationalism!
Remember the Maine!
The sinking of the
USS Maine added
fuel to the fire (Feb 15,
1898). It was sent to
Havana to monitor
riots in Cuba and to
protect U.S. property
and citizens. Spain
was blamed for the
sinking. 266 US
Sailors died.
“Remember the
Maine” was the battle
cry. Did Spain do it?
Exit Slip – Prelude to the
Spanish-American War of 1898
1. Americans became interested in this
island, controlled by Spain, during the
Age of Imperialism?
2. New type of journalism that was really
“anything to sell a paper?”
3. He was the U.S. President during this
crisis?
4. The destruction of this ship angered
Americans and led to war with Spain?
America’s New Empire