SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
The Spanish-American War lasted from April-August 1898
The United States emerged as a world
Power as a result of victory over Spain in
the Spanish-American War
Economic interests and public opinion
often influence the United States involvement
in international affairs
Reasons for the SAW (BURY)
•Protection of American Business interests in
Cuba
Sugar plantations
•American support of Cuban rebels to gain
independence from Spain
•Rising tensions between Spain and the
United States as a result of the sinking of the
U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor
•Exaggerated news reports of the events
(yellow journalism or yellow press)
Yellow Kid
•Business Interest: protection of American
business interests in Cuba
•U.S.S Maine Explodes: Tensions rise between
Spain and the U.S. as a result of the sinking of
the Maine
•Rebels in Cuba: Americans support Cuban
rebels gaining independence from Spain
•Yellow Journalism: exaggerated news reports
of events
Most of the Fighting during the
Spanish-American War took place in
Cuba and the Philippines
Results of the Spanish American War (CUP)
•The United States emerges as a world power
•Cuba gains its independence from Spain
Cuban flag from 1902
•The United states gained possession of the
Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico
The U.S. paid $20 million for the Philippines
Philippines
Guam -very small
island east of
Philippines
Puerto Rico –small island
in the Caribbean
•Cuba gained independence from Spain
•United States emerged as a world power
•Possession of the Philippines, Guam, and
Puerto Rico was granted to the U.S.
The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
•asserted the United States’ right to interfere in the
economic matters of other nations in Latin America
When necessary to maintain economies or their
peace
(May also see it as interfering in political matters)
•claimed the United States’ right to exercise
international police power
•advocated Big Stick Diplomacy (ex: this philosophy
was used to build the Panama Canal)