The Spanish American War
Why did the United States go to
war against Spain in 1898, and
why was the outcome significant?
The Spanish American War
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In 1890, Spain’s overseas empire had been reduced to Cuba, the
Philippines, Puerto Rico and a few smaller Islands.
The Cubans rebelled against Spain and Declared their
independence in 1895.
Spain sent troops to Cuba to crush rebellion.
They used brutal methods to repress the uprising and the U.S.
became concerned, because of the reports in newspapers (“yellow
journalism”) which deliberately sensationalized the news, making it
seem worse than it really was.
The Spanish sunk a US ship, the U.S.S. Maine, triggering a
firestorm of protests.
President McKinley responded to the public by asking Congress for
permission to intervene in Cuba.
The War ended with U.S. occupation of the Philippines, Cuba,
Puerto Rico and Guam.
Marked the end of Spain’s colonial empire
When is it appropriate for the United
States to send soldiers to fight and face
death on foreign soil?
Choose your top 3 reasons from this
list:
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To assist an ally of the United States
To protect territory that is close to U.S. Borders
To stop human rights abuses
To acquire resources
To gain power
To acquire territory
To improve national security
To spread or protect American values and moral beliefs
To fight against tyrannical governments
Under no circumstances is it ever appropriate
Other (explain)
TURN and TALK
Share your top 3 reasons with your partner
and see if you can agree on 3 reason
together.
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In 1898, the United States sent
troops to Cuba and the
Philippines to fight a war against
Spain.
Many Americans wondered
whether the United States had a
right to extend its power into
colonial lands. Others saw it as
an opportunity for the United
States to advance as a world
leader.
In this lesson, you will learn how
the war, and the debate that
followed, marked a significant
change in American beliefs
about the nation’s foreign policy.
HEARST v. PULITZER
Yellow Journalism
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Journalism that exploits, distorts, or
exaggerates the news to create
sensations and attract readers.
With your Partner:
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You will examine primary source images
about important events prior to and
during the Spanish-American War.
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You will then use these images to create
a mock newspaper summarizing the
events.
Instructions:
You will be creating the
front page of a
newspaper using images
cut from the Notebook
Handout and articles that
you write as you respond
to each section of the
reading.
To begin, set up your
newspaper across two
pages of your notebook
as shown below.
Who is being blamed
in this song?
 What is he being
blamed for?
 Why might an editor
have wanted to start
this war?
 What did the editor do
to provoke this war?
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Read Section 20.2
Trouble Brewing in Cuba
Next to the image for this section :
 Write a letter to the editor expressing your
feelings about the coverage in the New York
World and New York Journal of events in
Cuba
 Letter should include
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 Thoughts on the accuracy of these stories
 Ideas on coverage of these events as an effort to
keep Americans informed
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What do you see here?
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What seems to have
happened?
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According to the
headline, what is the
cause of the explosion?
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How do you think
Americans felt when
they saw this image?
Read Section 20.3
Americans call for War with Spain
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Next to this image:
Write a lead story sensationalizing the
publication of the de Lome letter and the
explosion of the USS Maine in order to
fuel public anger toward Spain
Include in your story
– The basic details of each incident
– Attempts to encourage Americans to press
the U.S. government into war with Spain
– The terms de Lome letter and USS Maine
What do you see in this image?
 Which countries appear to be fighting each other?
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Where do you think this battle is being fought?
 Why do you think these two countries are fighting
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Who appears to be winning this battle?
Read Section 20.4
Splendid Little War
Next to this image:
 Write a report from the battlefront as if
you were a war correspondent
 Report must include
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 Details of the various battles taking place in
Cuba
 Reports of casualties
 The terms Rough Riders and San Juan Hill
What do you see?
 Why might Uncle Sam need larger suit he is
being fitted for?
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Based on what they are carrying, what do you think the men
entering the room want?
What is McKinley’s response to these anti-imperialists?
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Does the cartoonist seem to be in favor of U.S. expansion?
How can you tell?
Read Section 20.5
A New Power on the World Stage
Write a caption for the cartoon in which
you describe the events that prompted
the cartoonist to draw it
 Caption much include
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 An explanation of each character in the
cartoon and who each represents
 The terms Platt Amendment and AntiImperialist League
Processing - Class discussion
 Which of the reasons listed on the preview slide do you
think best apply to the Spanish-American War? Why?
 Do you think the United States was justified in sending
troops to Cuba and the Philippines to fight against
Spain? Why or Why not?
 Did the U.S. actions in the Spanish-American War
promote or hinder the advancement of the ideals of
opportunity and democracy? In what ways?
 How did the Spanish-America War reflect the new role
of the United States as a world power?