Unit: Becoming a World Power
What will we learn today?
11.2.7 Analyze the similarities and differences between Social Darwinism and Social
Gospel.
11.3.2 Religious revivals of the 19 th century
11.4.2 Describe the Spanish American War and the U.S. expansion in the South Pacific.
What is an outrageous news story that was later proven to be untrue?
Why do you think this story was made up in the first place?
2

Unit: Becoming a World Power
What will we learn today?
11.2.7 Analyze the similarities and differences between Social Darwinism and Social Gospel.
11.3.2 Religious revivals of the 19 th century
11.4.2 Describe the Spanish American War and the U.S. expansion in the South Pacific.
What are acceptable reasons for the
United States to become involved in a foreign war?
3

1. List the events that led to the Spanish-
American War
2. Understand how Theodore Roosevelt’s fame grew due to his actions during the war


What impact did the Spanish American
War have on American imperialism?


After the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine, the United States defeated Spain in a war and acquired new territories, changing the fate of other nations.

• In 1898 the United
States went to war with Spain in the
Spanish-American
War.
• The United States gained territories in the Caribbean and
Pacific.

Plus many other colonies!!!


In the late 1890s, Cubans rebelled against Spain. Led by
Jose Marti

Conflict widely reported in
U.S. newspapers, especially by publishers Joseph Pulitzer and
William Randolph Hearst

Printed sensational, often exaggerated news stories: technique called yellow journalism

Stories helped increase public support for military action

William McKinley, a supporter of Cuban independence, was elected in 1896.

Joseph Pulitzer

Americans supported Cuba-
Revolutionary war and opposed the actions of Spain
 Media’s Role

William Randolph HearstPublisher-
New York Journal

Joseph PulitzerPublisher –
York World
New

Yellow JournalismScandalous stories and shocking illustrations.
Competition to sell newspapers.

Both papers put their support behind the Cuban rebels.
William Randolph Hearst


“I would like to build something upon the hill at San Simeon. I get tired of going up there and camping in tents. I’m getting a little too old for that. I’d like to get something that would be a little more comfortable”
William Randolph Hearst

56 bedrooms,
61 bathrooms,
19 sitting rooms

-William Randolph Hearst

January
1898
February 15,
1898
The United States sends the battleship USS
Maine to Havana Harbor to protect U.S. citizens and economic interests in Cuba.
USS Maine sunk; newspapers blame Spain.
April 20,
1898
April 20,
1898
Congress passes a resolution declaring Cuba independent and demand that Spain leave. They also passed the Teller Amendment, which said that the United States had no interest in controlling Cuba.
United States declares war on Spain.

• The de Lome Letter- Written by Spain’s minister to the U.S. Hearst printed it in the paper.
• The letter accused McKinley or being “weak and catering to the rabble.”
•
•
•
•
•
Americans looked at this as an insult.
“Jingoes” people who loved to see a fight, they wanted war.
“Maine” sent to Havana harbor to protect lives and property of Americans (Sugar Plantations).
February 15, 1898- “Maine” blows up. “Remember the
Maine!”
McKinley demands Spain give Cuba its independence.
Spain refuses and we declare war.

 February 15, 1898
 USS Maine exploded in
Havana Harbor killing
266 Americans
 Yellow Journalism blamed the Spanish

Draw a picture of the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine.

Sensational, exaggerated news stories meant to increase support for military action

What is a modern day example of yellow journalism?

Joseph Pulitzer and
William Randolph Hearst




Cuba and
Philippines (both colonies of
Spain)
Rebels in both
Cuba and
Philippines aided
America in their fight against the
Spanish.
Filipinos believed they were fighting for their independence


The U.S. Navy won a quick victory over the Spanish Pacific fleet in the Philippines on May 1, 1898.

No US men were killed in battle.

Had to wait for additional troops to be sent to secure the Philippines.

On August 13, U.S. troops and Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo took control of the Philippine capital of Manila.


U.S. Army unprepared for Spanish-American
War

Troops had to be increased—from
28,000 to 280,000.

Did not have enough rifles, bullets, or uniforms

Harsh living conditions

400 killed in battle;
2,000 died of disease


Rough Riders were a group of volunteers commanded by Theodore Roosevelt.

Admired by American people for heroism

Contributed to solid U.S. victories at Santiago and
Kettle Hill

Spanish Caribbean fleet was destroyed on July 3, 1898.

U.S. troops invaded Puerto
Rico in mid-July.

Spain signed a cease-fire agreement on August 12,
1898.

Who were the two publishers who practiced yellow journalism?

Attack on the U.S.S. Maine

The coal holding in the ship combusted

1. Cuba
2. Philippines

• Spain gave up all claims to Cuba.
• The United States gained territory in
Puerto Rico and Guam.
• Spain turned over the Philippines for
$20 million.
• Territorial gains strengthened the military and economic position of the
United States.

Philippine American War
(Philippine Insurrection) 1899-
1902
 US fights a guerrilla war for control of the islands

Following the conclusion of major hostilities, the U.S. did it's best to
"Americanize" the
Philippines.

The Philippines became an independent nation on July
4, 1946.


Sweet victory for the U.S.- John Hay ambassador to Great Britain in a letter to Theodore Roosevelt called it “A splendid little war”.


Costs to the U.S.

$250 million and over
2,000 soldier deaths
(mostly from yellow fever)

Huge payoff for U.S.-
U.S. now an imperialistic nation- an expansionists delight.

US Gains: Puerto Rico,
Guam, and Philippines


U.S. passes law that basically makes
Cuba a US protectorate.

1. Volunteer unit of soldiers
2. Teddy Roosevelt

Disease

Philippines, Guam and
Puerto Rico

They wanted independence

Big payoff for U.S.
 Gained lots of territory


36:00 to 39:20


5:36 to 11:45

•Make up your own Yellow Journalism story about the plight of the Cubans and the explosion of the Maine.
•REMBEMBER you want to sell newspapers, you want to spice it up!
• Use these words:War, Spain, Cuba,
America, Jose Marti, Guam, Puerto
Rico, Philippines.