The Spanish American War
When is it appropriate for the US to send
soldiers to fight and face death on foreign soil?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To assist an ally of the United States
To protect territory close to US 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/morals
To fight against tyrannical governments
Under no circumstances is it appropriate
Other (Explain)
Trouble in Cuba
• 1868 demand for
independence and an
end to slavery
• American investment
huge; nervous
• 1895 another
rebellion; Marti
• 1896 reconcentration
camps
Weyler’s Reconcentration Policy
The Cuban Holocaust
225,000 Cuban civilians died in 18 months 1896-97
Heading Toward War
• Newspapers and
magazines mass
media
• Yellow journalism
spurs anti-Spanish
feeling
• 1898 de Lome letter
• USS Maine
• Teller Amendment
Push to War
American Newspapers React
Pulitzer
Hearst
THE WORST INSULT TO THE UNITED
STATES IN ITS HISTORY
De Lôme
McKinley is: weak and catering to the rabble, and, besides, a
low politician, who desires to leave a door open to me and to
stand well with the jingoes of his party.
A “Splendid Little War”
• Starts in the
Philippines
• Dewey destroys the
fleet
• Moves to Cuba
• Rough Riders and
San Juan Hill
• US is an imperialist
power
• Platt Amendment
The Beginning
The End-Treaty of Paris 1898
The Anti-Imperialist League
Processing
• Which of the reason listed in the Preview do you
think best applies to the Spanish-American War?
Why?
• Do you think the US was justified in sending
troops to Cuba and the Philippines to fight
against Spain? Why or why not?
• Did US actions in the war promote or hinder the
advancement of ideals of opportunity and
democracy? In what ways?
• How did the war reflect the new role of the US
as a world power?