The
Spanish-American
War
Mr. Blais
America in the World
Take a few minutes and try your
best to define the following terms.
• The Monroe Doctrine:
• Manifest Destiny:
• Imperialism:
• Isolationism:
• The Monroe Doctrine was a doctrine established
in 1823 which stated that European powers could
not longer colonize or interfere with the affairs of
independent nations of the Americas.
• Manifest Destiny was the belief that the U.S. had
the ‘obvious right’ to expand its territory. It was
originally used to justify Americas expansion west
and was later used to justify further American
expansion
• Imperialism is the policy of establishing colonies
and building empires in order to expand the
influence on one single power around the world.
• Isolationism is the political policy of separating
oneself and one’s country from the political affairs
of other countries. (Originally established by
George Washington)
Fulfilling the Monroe Doctrine:
Securing the Americas
• Step 1: Kick the
French out of Mexico
– Because Mexico refused
to pay its debts in 1860
France came in to force
them to pay. The French
then stayed until 1865.
Finally the U.S. sent
50,000 troops to the
border and made the
French withdraw.
Fulfilling the Monroe Doctrine:
Securing the Americas
• Step 2: Get territory
from Russia
– The czar of Russia saw
little value in a far off
land and sold Alaska to
the U.S. for 7.2 Million
dollars in 1867. (less
than 2 cents an acre)
Securing the Americas
• Step 3: Annex Hawaii
– Hawaii had been closely tied
with the U.S. economy since the
early 1800s.
– But when Queen Liliuokalani
tried to bring control back to the
Hawaiian people some American
business leaders with the help of
some marines took over the
Hawaiian government.
– Hawaii was annexed in 1898
Strengthen the Navy
• By 1880 the U.S. navy was
very limited in size and very
outdated.
• Captain Alfred Mahan called
attention to this problem and
believed the U.S. needed more
influence abroad and needed a
strong navy to do that.
• By 1895 Congress had passed
legislation for 20 new naval
ships, 6 of which were
battleships.
The Spanish-American War
1. Explain what the ‘reconcentration camps’ were used for in Cuba
during the late 19th century? Generally, what kind of conditions
could be found in these camps?
–
These camps were used to keep most Cubans confined at all times for the
Spanish could not tell the civilians from the rebels. The conditions were
horrible and thousands died from starvation and illness.
2. How did the American public feel about how the Spanish were
treating the people of Cuba?
–
They felt that these practices were inhumane and that the Cubans had a right
to govern themselves and have there freedom (like America).
3. What was ‘yellow journalism’ and how did it help lead the United
States into war?
–
Yellow journalism exaggerated stories of Cubans being maltreated and helped
rally Cuban support among the American population.
4. How did the De Lome letter damage U.S.-Spanish relations beyond
repair?
–
It was an insult to our nation and president which came directly from Spain
5. What was the final catalyst which began the war with Spain? How
did ‘yellow journalism’ help make this incident larger than life?
–
The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana, Cuba began the war with Spain
and yellow journalism blamed the entire incident on Spain where in reality no
one actually knew what happened.
6. How did the Teller Amendment help the people of Cuba during the
war?
–
It declared that ‘the government and control of the island (Cuba) would be left
to the people.’
7. Where did the first battle of the Spanish-American War take place?
Who was the commander of the American forces and what was the
overall outcome?
–
The battle took place at Manila Bay in the Philippines islands. Commodore
George Dewey commanded the U.S. ships and decisively won the battle.
8. Why did the Spanish surrender in the Philippines still leave the
islands in an unstable situation?
–
Now the island was turned over to the U.S. army, making it unclear as to who
would run the government there, the U.S. or the Filipinos.
The Spanish-American War
9. Give three examples of how the American soldiers were ill-prepared
to fight in Cuba.
–
They had heavy wool uniforms for tropic weather, ammunition was out-ofdate, very few medical supplies, and many rations were inedible.
10. At what Cuban city did the major battle of the Spanish-American
war take place? How did the Rough Riders help secure this
victory?
–
The major battle took place in and around Santiago. The Rough Riders
captured San Juan Hill just outside the city which helped force the Spanish
into surrender.
11. How did the Spanish navy fair against the U.S. forces outside of
Santiago harbor?
–
The Spanish navy was completely destroyed when it tried to escape.
12. Approximately how long did the Spanish-American War last AND
who was victorious in this war?
–
The war lasted about 3 and a half months and America was ultimately
victorious
America Gains New Territory
• The treaty between American and Spain after
the war was very beneficial to America.
• The U.S. gained territory throughout the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
• It gained influence or governance over the
following islands:
– Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines (The
Philippines cost 20 Million Dollars.)
Annexation of the Philippines
1. Approximately how far are the Philippines from the United States?
–
The Philippines are about 6,000 miles from the United States.
2. Why did people such as former President Grover Cleveland oppose
the annexation of the Philippines?
–
They believed it was a violation of American tradition, or the idea that all
people should be free and be allowed to govern themselves.
3. Identify four reasons as to why many American supported the
annexation of the Philippines.
–
They supported America becoming more prominent in world affairs, the
growth of our economic markets, they liked the idea of having an empire,
some believed it was simply survival of the fittest, and some even felt it was
our destiny to emerge victorious over other races and classes.
4. What was President McKinley’s final rational for deciding to annex
the Philippines?
–
He decided to annex the Philippines because he felt it was our duty to civilize,
Christianize, and educate the Filipinos.
Annexation of the Philippines
5. How much money the U.S. pay for the Philippines?
–
They paid 20 Million Dollars for the Philippines
6. When the U.S. Senate voted to ratify the treaty with Spain how
many votes did it pass with?
–
The treaty only passed with a two-vote majority.
7. Whose vote, in the U.S. Senate, ended the promise of independence
for the Filipino people?
–
The Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt, cast the swing vote to break the tie
and end the Filipino hopes for independence.
8. Name three characteristics of the Philippines that would make it
difficult for any foreign power to govern.
–
There are over 7,100 islands in the Philippines, over 7.5 million people, 43
different ethnic groups and about 87 different languages and dialects.
Filipino Resistance
1. Explain why the Filipinos felt betrayed when the U.S. decided to
annex their islands?
–
They had just helped the Americans fight on the Spain and now America
simply turned around and took the place of Spain.
2. Who was the leader of the Filipino resistance? What kind of
government did he establish for the Filipinos?
–
Emilio Aguinaldo led the resistance and he established a constitutional
republic.
3. What tactic was used by the Filipinos during this war with America?
–
They used guerrilla warfare, or hit and run tactics
4. How long did the Filipino resistance last AND what event effectively
ended the Filipino resistance?
–
Filipino resistance lasted about 3 years and was ended when Emilio Aguinaldo
was captured
Filipino Resistance
5. Give two examples of how the U.S. tried to make the
Philippines more ‘American’.
– English replaced Spanish, street names were changed, and
American business enterprises grew rapidly
6. What were two changes made under William Howard Taft
that truly helped the Filipinos?
– Taft established public schools and passed laws to keep land in
the hands of the Filipinos.
7. How long did it take the U.S. to fulfill its promise of
independence to the people of the Philippines?
– It took at last 30 years, even up to 45 years depending on where
you start counting.
1. Give two reasons that the U.S. Army stayed in Cuba even after the
Spanish-American War was over.
–
It stayed in order to set up a republican government, establish health programs,
and oversee Cuban finances
2. Why was the Platt Amendment put in place and how long did it
govern the U.S.-Cuban relationship?
–
It was put in place to protect the interests of the United States in Cuba. It
governed their relationship for 33 years.
3. Briefly outline the major points of the Platt Amendment.
–
Cuba must allow the U.S. naval bases, Cuba’s debt is not to exceed its income,
U.S. can intervene to protect Cuba, and Cuba should not make treaties with
other foreign powers.
4. The Platt Amendment officially made Cuba a U.S. protectorate.
Explain what this meant for Cuba and Cuba’s ‘independence’.
–
This meant that Cuba was more or less controlled by the United States and that
true independence would be impossible as long as they remained in this role.
5. What was one good thing that came out of the four years of American
military rule in Cuba?
1.
They managed to get rid of yellow fever in Cuba
Puerto Rico
1. What judicial body decided that the U.S. Constitution did not apply
to overseas possessions?
–
The Supreme Court of the United States made this decision.
2. Give two reasons why it would unfavorable to be a dependency
under the United States, as Puerto Rico was.
–
Because as a dependency the U.S. could set taxes on your products and did
have to give your citizens full civil rights unless they wanted to.
3. Based on Puerto Rico’s history, why was it quite impractical for the
United States to hold on to this island?
–
Puerto Rico had 300 years of Spanish language, Spanish tradition, and Spanish
culture.
4. What was Puerto Rico finally granted in 1917?
–
They were granted territorial status and made citizens of the United States.