th
10
American History
American History
Unit II – Becoming a World Power
Chapter 7 Section 2- The Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War
The Main Idea
A quick victory in the Spanish-American War gave the United
States a new role as a world power.
The Main Idea
• How did simmering unrest in Cuba lead to rebellion?
• Why did Americans get war fever?
• What happened in the course of the Spanish-American War?
• Why was annexing the Philippines controversial?
Simmering Unrest in Cuba
• Cubans launched a series of revolts against Spain
beginning in 1868, which Spain reacted to by exiling
revolutionary leaders.
• José Marti moved to New York City in 1878, continuing to
agitate for Cuban independence through newspaper
articles and poetry.
• Marti returned to Cuba to participate in a revolt in
February 1895 but was killed, becoming a hero instantly.
• Spanish General Valeriano Weyler used ruthless tactics to
suppress the revolt, further angering Cubans and swaying
American sentiment to the side of the rebels.
Simmering Unrest in Cuba
• Who was Jose Marti?
• Why did General Valeriano Weyler’s attempt
to suppress the Cuban rebellion backfire?
The Spanish-American War Begins (02:19)
American’s Get War Fever
• Americans supported Cuba- Revolutionary war and
actions of General Weyler.
• Media’s Role
– William Randolph Hearst- Publisher- New York Journal
– Joseph Pulitzer- Publisher – New York World
– Yellow Journalism- Scandalous stories and shocking
illustrations. Competition to sell newspapers.
– Both papers put their support behind the Cuban rebels.
Americans Get War Fever
• Newspapers reported the uprising with dramatic
headlines and articles.
• A letter written by the Spanish minister to the U.S.,
Enrique Dupuy de Loome, which ridiculed President
McKinley, was published by the New York Journal.
• The battleship USS Maine blew up in Havana harbor,
killing 260 American sailors.
• Although there was no proof, the explosion was blamed on
a Spanish mine, galvanizing U.S. support for war with
Spain.
American’s Get War Fever
• The Explosion of the “Maine.”
– The de Lome Letter- Written by Spain’s minister to the U.S.
Hearst printed it in the paper.
– The letter accused McKinley or being “weak and catering to
the rabble.”
– Americans looked at this as an insult.
– “Jingoes” people who loved to see a fight, they wanted war.
– “Maine” sent to Havana harbor to protect lives and property
of Americans (Sugar Plantations).
– February 15, 1898- “Maine” blows up. “Remember the
Maine!”
– How did it happen?- Spanish? Cuban Rebels? A fire in the
coal storage?
– McKinley demands Spain give Cuba its independence. Spain
refuses and we declare war.
The Story of the U.S.S. Maine3:56 min.
American’s Get War Fever
• Why did American’s get war fever?
• What was Yellow Journalism?
• Why could William Randolph Hearst and Joseph
Pulitzer be considered part of the Cuban revolt?
• Why did the de Lome letter raise such an
outcry?
• Do you think the Spanish minister was justified
in writing about the U.S. President?
The Course of the War
• War in Cuba
– Teller Amendment- U.S. recognizes Cuban independence. Once free from Spain,
the U.S. would leave the gov’t and control of the island to the people of Cuba.
– U.S. War Dept. not prepared for war.
• Soldiers had woolen uniforms for a summer war in the tropics.
• Mess pans were left over from the Civil War.
• Canned meat was so bad it was referred to as “embalmed beef ”.
• Regular soldiers and volunteers– Rough Riders (a regiment organized and trained by Theodore Roosevelt- college
athletes, cowboys, ranchers, and miners.)
– Expected to fight as a cavalry unit they had to leave their horses behind and
fought on foot.
• Strategy– capture the port of Santiago by controlling the hills around it.
– July 1, 1898- Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill- 8,000 U.S. Soldiers
• Buffalo Soldiers- the 9th and 10th (Indian fights on the Great Plains)
• Rough Riders and other regular troops in support.
• 6 Buffalo Soldiers, and Two Rough Riders (Theodore Roosevelt) got
Congressional Medals of Honor.
– July 3- U.S. fleets sinks Spanish fleet in Battle of Santiago
– Spanish surrender in Cuba and Puerto Rico within weeks.
The War in the Philippines and the Caribbean (03:02)
The Course of the War
The Philippines
• Future President Theodore
Roosevelt sent Commodore
George Dewey orders to
prepare for war against Spain.
• Dewey engaged the Spanish
fleet in Manila Bay.
• Steel- and iron-hulled U.S. ships
helped to defeat the Spaniards.
• Filipino rebels, led by Emilio
Aguinaldo, had already been
fighting Spain.
• Surrounded by Dewey (at sea)
and Aguinaldo (on land),
Spanish forces surrendered.
Cuba
• U.S. War Department was
unprepared for war in
Cuba.
• American strategy was to
control the port city of
Santiago.
• Theodore Roosevelt’s
Rough Riders helped
gain control of the city at
the Battle of San Juan
Hill.
• The U.S. Navy sank the
entire Spanish fleet off
the coast of Cuba.
The Course of the War
• Consequences of the War
– Terms of the Peace Treaty- Paris Peace Treaty
• Spain gives up all claims to Cuba, cede Puerto Rico and Guam
to the U.S.
• Philippines turned over to U.S. for $20 million.
– Sweet victory for the U.S.- John Hay ambassador to
Great Britain in a letter to Theodore Roosevelt called it
“a splendid little war”.
– Costs to the U.S.- (about a four month war.)
•
•
•
•
$250 million
2,957 soldier deaths from disease (mostly from yellow fever)
332 Battle deaths- Army and Navy
Huge payoff for U.S.- U.S. now an imperialistic nation- an
expansionists delight.
The Course of the War
• How long did the Spanish American War last?
• Why do you think the U.S. chose the Philippines as one
of the locations to attack the Spanish?
• Why was fighting in Cuba so difficult?
• What was unusual about the troops who fought in the
Spanish-American War?
• What do you think John Hay and Henry Cabot Lodge
meant when they said the war began with highest
motives and that it had world wide meaning?
U.S. victory over Spain elevated the American position in the world.
• Spain gave up all claims to Cuba.
• The United States gained territory in Puerto Rico and
Guam.
• Spain turned over the Philippines for $20 million.
• Territorial gains strengthened the military and economic
position of the United States.
Annexing the Philippines
Controversy raged in the United States over whether to
annex the Philippines.
For Annexation
• Believed the United States
had a duty to spread its
values overseas.
• Philippines had economic
and strategic value that
should not fall into the
hands of other countries.
Against Annexation
• Believed annexation would
violate the ideal of selfgovernment
• Did not want oppression to
occur; The United States should
not export racism and violence
• Some Americans believed
annexation would increase
immigration to the United States.
The Philippines
• The U.S. Senate narrowly approved annexation of the
Philippines in February 1899.
• Fighting broke out in the Philippines. Filipino independence
fighters battled U.S. soldiers for three years.
• Filipino voters did have a voice in government. They were
able to elect members to the lower house of their legislature.
They could elect members of both houses in 1916.
• On July 4, 1946, the United States finally granted full
independence to the Philippines.
Annexing the Philippines
• Arguments for Annexation
– U.S. had a duty to spread its values overseas (educate, uplift, civilize and
Christianize- McKinley)
– Philippines needed for refueling and supply as well as military. Get others before
other countries (Germany) do.
• Opponents
–
–
–
–
Anti-Imperialist League in June 1908.
Annexing Philippine went against U.S. values
Are we exporting oppression to the Philippines
Open the door to a new flood of immigrants from the Philippines. Unions
against it.
• American Rule
– Annexation passed after a fierce debate on Feb. 6, 1899.
– Fighting broke out in the Philippines lead by Aquinaldo who feel they are
independent.
– After 3 years of rebellion- 4,000 U.S. soldiers and some 220, 000 Filipinos had
died (mainly due to disease.)
– Goal for Philippines- prepare it for independence, much like any U.S. State.
Finally in 1946 Philippines were granted full independence.
Annexing the Philippines
• What two reasons were used to justify
annexation of the Philippines?
• Why might other nations have gone to war
against the United States to gain control of the
Philippines?
• Why did some groups in the U.S. oppose
annexing the Philippines?
• Did the U.S. honor its stated goal of preparing
the Philippines for independence?
Footage of the Spanish-American War and McKinley's Funeral (01:36)
The Price of Freedom- Website
Spanish American War1898-1902
Where and What
Who
Causes
Spanish policies in Cuba- Human
rights- Butcher Weyler
U.S. Sympathy to Cuban rebels.
de Lome Letter
Yellow Press (Journalism)
Sinking of the Maine
Jingoism (Hawks)
Imperialism- U.S. power play
Economics- U.S. planters and
investors.
Results of the War
Anti-Imperialists
After the War
SpanishAmerican
War
Where and What
Who
United States
McKinley, T.Roosevelt and Rough
Riders, Buffalo Soldiers,
Navy- Admiral Dewey and
Aquinaldo
Pulitzer and Hearst- Publishers
Causes
Spanish policies in Cuba- Human
rights- Butcher Weyler
U.S. Sympathy to Cuban rebels.
de Lome Letter
Yellow Press (Journalism)
Sinking of the Maine
Jingoism (Hawks)
Cuba
Spanish and General Weyler
Cuban rebels and Jose Marti
Results of the War
Anti-Imperialists
Imperialism- U.S. power play
Economics- U.S. planters and
investors.
After the War
SpanishAmerican
War
Where and What
Who
Philippines
United States
T. Roosevelt- Asst.Sec. of
Navy send Commodore
Dewey.
McKinley, T.Roosevelt and Rough
Riders, Buffalo Soldiers,
Destroys Spanish NavyManila Bay
Cuba
Havana Harbor
Kettle and San Juan HillSantiago
Navy- Admiral Dewey and
Aquinaldo
Pulitzer and Hearst- Publishers
Causes
Spanish policies in Cuba- Human
rights- Butcher Weyler
U.S. Sympathy to Cuban rebels.
de Lome Letter
Yellow Press (Journalism)
Sinking of the Maine
Jingoism (Hawks)
Cuba
Spanish and General Weyler
Cuban rebels and Jose Marti
Imperialism- U.S. power play
Economics- U.S. planters and
investors.
Battle of Santiago Bay
Results of the War
Anti-Imperialists
After the War
SpanishAmerican
War
Where and What
Who
Philippines
United States
T. Roosevelt- Asst.Sec. of
Navy send Commodore
Dewey.
McKinley, T.Roosevelt and Rough
Riders, Buffalo Soldiers,
Navy- Admiral Dewey and
Destroys Spanish NavyManila Bay
Cuba
Havana Harbor
Kettle and San Juan Hill
Aquinaldo
Pulitzer and Hearst- Publishers
Causes
Spanish policies in Cuba- Human
rights- Butcher Weyler
U.S. Sympathy to Cuban rebels.
de Lome Letter
Yellow Press (Journalism)
Sinking of the Maine
Jingoism (Hawks)
Cuba
Spanish and General Weyler
Cuban rebels and Jose Marti
Battle of Santiago Bay
Imperialism- U.S. power play
Economics- U.S. planters and
investors.
4 months of war -“Splendid little
war”
$250 million and over 2,000
soldier deaths (mostly from
yellow fever)
Spain gives up all claims to Cuba,
cede Puerto Rico and Guam
to the U.S.
Philippines turned over to U.S. for
$20 million.
U.S. now has colonies of over
100,000 sq. miles and 10
million people.
Results of the War
Anti-Imperialists
After the War
SpanishAmerican
War
Where and What
Who
Philippines
United States
T. Roosevelt- Asst.Sec. of
Navy send Commodore
Dewey.
McKinley, T.Roosevelt and Rough
Riders, Buffalo Soldiers,
Destroys Spanish NavyManila Bay
Cuba
Havana Harbor
Kettle and San Juan Hill
Navy- Admiral Dewey and
Aquinaldo
Pulitzer and Hearst- Publishers
Causes
Spanish policies in Cuba- Human
rights- Butcher Weyler
U.S. Sympathy to Cuban rebels.
de Lome Letter
Yellow Press (Journalism)
Sinking of the Maine
Jingoism (Hawks)
Cuba
Spanish and General Weyler
Cuban rebels and Jose Marti
Battle of Santiago Bay
4 months of war -“Splendid little
war”
Imperialism- U.S. power play
Economics- U.S. planters and
investors.
Were opposed to empire
building- goes against
$250 million and over 2,000
soldier deaths (mostly from yellow American values and beliefs.
fever)
Opposed to annexing Philippines
Spain gives up all claims to Cuba, and administration and pacification.
cede Puerto Rico and Guam to the
U.S can not be a democracy and an
U.S.
empire.
Philippines turned over to U.S. for
Do not want a war with Japan
over
$20 million.
Pacific territories.
U.S. now has colonies of over
100,000 sq. miles and 10 million
people.
Results of the War
Anti-Imperialists
After the War
SpanishAmerican
War
Where and What
Who
Philippines
United States
T. Roosevelt- Asst.Sec. of
Navy send Commodore
Dewey.
McKinley, T.Roosevelt and Rough
Riders, Buffalo Soldiers,
Destroys Spanish NavyManila Bay
Cuba
Havana Harbor
Kettle and San Juan Hill
Navy- Admiral Dewey and
Aquinaldo
Pulitzer and Hearst- Publishers
Causes
Spanish policies in Cuba- Human
rights- Butcher Weyler
U.S. Sympathy to Cuban rebels.
de Lome Letter
Yellow Press (Journalism)
Sinking of the Maine
Jingoism (Hawks)
Cuba
Spanish and General Weyler
Cuban rebels and Jose Marti
Battle of Santiago Bay
4 months of war -“Splendid little
war”
Were opposed to empire
building- goes against
$250 million and over 2,000
soldier deaths (mostly from yellow American values and beliefs.
fever)
Opposed to annexing Philippines
Spain gives up allclaims to Cuba, and administration and pacification.
cede Puerto Rico and Guam to the
U.S can not be a democracy and an
U.S.
empire.
Philippines turned over to U.S. for
Do not want a war with Japan
over
$20 million.
Pacific territories.
U.S. now has colonies of over
100,000 sq. miles and 10 million
people.
Results of the War
Anti-Imperialists
Imperialism- U.S. power play
Economics- U.S. planters and
investors.
Teller Amendment- After war Cuba
would be independent.
Platt Amendment- Cuba
1) No foreign powers allowed in 2)
No high foreign debts for Cuba 3)
Lease Guantanamo Base to US 4)
US would intervene in Cuba
Foracker Act- Puerto Rico- Colony
and territory- protectorate.
Philippines- Revolt against US- 3
years pacification- Independence in
1946
After the War
SpanishAmerican
War
The Spanish-American War : 10:15
Where and what
Who
Causes
SpanishAmerican
War
Results of the War
Anti-Imperialists
After the War