Chapter
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Objectives
• Describe how Americans reacted to the revolt in
Cuba.
• Identify the reasons the United States declared
war on Spain.
• Explain how the Spanish-American War led to
the creation of an American overseas empire.
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
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Terms and People
• reconcentration– the forced movement of
large numbers of people into detention camps
for military or political reasons
• José Martí– Cuban poet and advocate for
Cuban independence
• William Randolph Hearst– newspaper owner
who ran sensational stories about Cuba in the
New York Journal
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
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Terms and People (continued)
• Emilio Aguinaldo– leader of Filipino rebels
who helped the U.S. seize Manila and later
fought the U.S. for Filipino independence
• protectorate– an independent country whose
policies are controlled by an outside power
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What were the causes and effects of
the Spanish-American War?
At the close of the 18th century, America was
drifting toward war.
The United States would emerge as a world
power with interests around the globe.
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
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Cuba lies 90 miles off the coast of Florida. It had been
ruled by Spain since 1492.
In 1895, Cubans
rose up against
Spain’s harsh rule.
Spain forced many
Cubans into
detention camps, a
process called
reconcentration.
200,000 Cubans died in camps due to lack of food and
poor sanitation.
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
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Many Americans were sympathetic to the
Cuban rebels.
Cuban poet José
Martí led Cuban
exiles in urging the
U.S. to help the
rebels.
William Randolph
Hearst ran
sensational stories
about Cuba in the
New York Journal.
President Cleveland, and later President McKinley,
tried to maintain neutrality.
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
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Many Americans wanted to protect America’s
$50 million investment in Cuba.
This investment included sugar and rice
plantations, railroads, and iron mines.
When fighting broke out in Havana in 1898,
President McKinley sent in the battleship Maine.
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Chapter
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On February 15, 1898, a great explosion sank the
Maine, killing 260 Americans.
• Most Americans
blamed Spain.
• War fever swept
the United States.
On April 20, 1898, the
U.S. declared war on
Spain.
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Chapter
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The first great battle of the war took place in the
Philippines, far from Cuba.
On May 1, the U.S. Navy sank the
entire Spanish squadron at Manila Bay.
Rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo then
helped U.S. troops seize Manila.
The U.S. controlled the Philippine Islands.
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
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The war’s focus next shifted to Cuba. Americans
were ill-prepared but eager to fight.
On July 1, Theodore
Roosevelt led his unit,
the Rough Riders, on a
charge up San Juan Hill.
San Juan
Hill
Their victory was the most celebrated event
of the war.
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
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The two fronts in the Spanish American War were
on opposite sides of the world.
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
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A series of U.S. victories led to the end of the war.
U.S. ships
trapped and
destroyed
the Spanish
fleet in
Cuba.
Spain
surrendered
Cuba to the
United
States.
Americans
took control
of Puerto
Rico, another
Spanish
possession.
In December 1898, Spain and the United States
signed a peace treaty, ending the war.
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Chapter
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1898 Peace Treaty
Spain
Granted Cuban
independence.
Gave the U.S. Puerto
Rico, the Philippines,
and the islands of
Guam and Wake.
The Spanish-American War
The U.S.
Paid Spain $20
million.
Chapter
20 Section 2
Americans were divided over the treaty with Spain.
Against the Treaty
Taking colonies
violates the right
to self-government
and raises the risk
of war.
For the Treaty
The treaty gives
the U.S. important
bases. We have a
duty to spread
democracy.
The Senate ratified the treaty of February 6, 1899.
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Chapter
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The U.S. replaced Spain as the leading
Caribbean power.
Cuba did not gain true independence.
In 1902, the Platt
Amendment gave the
U.S. power to intervene
in Cuban affairs.
The Spanish-American War
Cuba became a U.S.
protectorate.
One Cuban wrote that
Cuba was “as free as a
dog on a leash.”
Chapter
20 Section 2
The U.S. faced different challenges in Puerto Rico
and the Philippines.
Puerto Rico
The Philippines
The Foraker Act of 1900
gave Puerto Ricans
limited rule.
Emilio Aguinaldo led a
fight for independence,
but was captured in
1901.
Puerto Ricans became
U.S. citizens in 1917.
The U.S. remained in
control until 1946.
The Spanish-American War
Chapter
20 Section 2
Section Review
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