Name:
Notes Format for European History Research Activity
Requirements:
(1) Heading …FCS
(2) Research question
(3) INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT – What will the class learn from your
presentation?
(4) Topics or main points followed by indented list of supporting details (may be
informal or formal outline)
Example –
Theodore Smith
Mr. Beilin
Social Studies – 1
17 January 2012
QUESTION: “What were the causes and importance of the Spanish American War?”
INTRODUCTION:
Most people know very little about the Spanish American War, but this war which lasted only
four months and one government official called “this splendid little war” marked an important
turning point in US history. This was the first war in which US soldiers were sent overseas to
fight. Like the Vietnam War, while most Americans at first supported the war, there were many
Americans who opposed the war. Be ready to learn what events led up to the war, how the war
was won, and the lasting consequences.
Lead up to war
 With settlement of the West, many Americans looked overseas for ways to expand US
power and influence
 Concern about Spain’s treatment of Cubans (Cuba then a colony of Spain)
 Explosion on USS Maine – an American battleship – in Havana harbor in 1890 -- 260
were killed -- blamed on Spain
 “Yellow journalism” – American newspapers whipped up anger against Spain
 Cubans began to rebel against Spanish rule and Americans were sympathetic to Cuban
call for independence
War breaks out (1898)
 April 21, 1898 US declares war against Spain



Troops sent to Cuba and navy sent to Pacific to challenge the Spanish in the Philippines
Islands
Battle of San Juan Hill – Teddy Roosevelt (later to be elected President) led charge of his
“Rough Rider” cavalry easily defeated Spanish troops
Navy under command of Admiral Dewey defeated Spanish navy guarding the Philippines
(Dewey’s command ship now a tourist attraction at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia)
End of war
 Treaty of Paris (December 10, 1898) – Spain agrees to set Cuba free, gave Puerto Rico
and Guam to US
 Sold the Philippines to US for 20 million dollars
Lasting consequences
 US sought to maintain influence over Cuba after independence and gained the right build
a naval base at Guantanamo which is now used as prison for terrorists
 Puerto Rico and Guam Island in Pacific became US territories
 Philippines resisted US rule so US send troops which resulted in long battle costing many
lives on both sides
 US became an “imperial” power for the first time with the responsibility of governing
people who resented US rule
DUE DATE: ________________________________________________________