Day 61 Spanish American War
US -Spanish Tension
• Spain had been a
dominant empire since
the early 1500’s
• Monroe Doctrine (Pres. 5)
• US interest in Cuba:
- 90 miles off Florida Coast
- US investment in Sugar,
Tobacco plantations
• In 1854 Franklin Pierce
(Pres. 14) offers to buy it
Spain responds – “we
would rather see Cuba
sunk into the sea”
Cuban War for Independence
• First Rebellion 1868-1878
unsuccessful but helped
end slavery
• US starts to purchase
sugar cane plantations
• In 1895 Jose Marti ( A
Cuban poet and
Journalist) leads
Revolutionary movement
• US opinion backed Cuba
War Fever
• Valermo Weyler (Spanish
commander) concentrates
rural population 300,000
• Yellow Journalist- told
exaggerated accounts to sell
papers – enraged American
readers
• McKinley (25)- tries diplomatic
method and has some success
• De Lome Letter- A Cuban rebel
stole a private letter that the
Spanish Minister had written
saying that McKinley was
weak that was published
Hearst paper
• Spanish were apologetic. But
American’s were insulted
Hearst to Artist Fredric Remington
after Remington said that he didn’t think
that the US would go to War
“You furnish the pictures and I will furnish
the war”
WAR!
• USS Main was sent to
evacuate American
citizens
• February 15, 1898
exploded in Havana
Harbor
• Newspapers reported and
offered an award that the
Spanish had blown it up
• The Spanish agree to all
demands but US still
declares war
The Philippines
• Spain prepared for war in
Cuba …so the US attacks
the Philippines
• George Dewey destroys
Spanish Fleet and took
Manila within hours
• US Troops fought with
Emilio Aguinaldo a
Filipino rebel that had
been fighting against
Spanish rule
• US concentrates
population - defeats
Filipinos
Caribbean War
• US Establishes Naval
Blockade
• Naval contrast with army. Ill
prepared with heavy coats not
suited for tropical fighting
• 9th and 10th Cavalry (African
American regiments) clear way
in Santiago
• Rough riders led by Teddy
Roosevelt get credit for San
Juan Hill
• Newspapers focus on minor
Victory of San Juan Hill
• US Then invades Puerto Rico
Treaty of Paris
• Spain frees Cuba
turns over Guam,
Puerto Rico and West
Indies
• Sells Philippines for
$20 million
McKinley on the Philippines
“ There is nothing left to do but to take them
and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and
Christianize our little brown brothers”
Summary Question
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
This is a sensational style of writing to lure readers
Cuban Poet who launched a revolution.
The US declared War when this ship was destroyed.
What was the result of the Spanish American war for Cuba?
This Letter helped fuel the resentment toward Spain.
Which Spanish General concentrated the Cuban population.
The US paid $20 million to annex this Island.
Teddy Roosevelt became a hero because of this event
although the Rough Riders played a minor role.
He was the Admiral that defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila
Bay.