Spanish American War
Why was the US interested in Cuba?
 It is 90 miles south of FL
 Spanish “would rather see
Cuba sunk in the ocean”
then sell to United States
 1868-1878 Cubans
rebelled against Spain – it
was unsuccessful
Jose Marti
 Cuban poet & journalist in
NY
 Cubra Libre – free Cuba
 Marti organized another
Cuban rebellion
Valeriano Weyler
 General from Spain sent to stop the rebellion
 Took rural population and put them in concentration camp
 300,000 Cubans, thousands died of hunger and disease
US Reaction
 Public opinion split
 Business people wanted to support Spain
 Other’s supported freedom
Yellow Journalism
 Journalists William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer
wanted to sell newspapers
 Lured readers with their headlines and exaggerated accounts
 YELLOW JOURNALISM: sensational style of writing,
which exaggerates news to lure and enrage readers
 http://www.pbs.org/crucible/frames/_journalism.html
De Lome Letter
 Cuban rebel stole
this letter and leaked
it to the press
 It was written by a
Spanish official
Enrique Dupuy de
Lome
Read the De Lome Letter
 Why would people in the United States be upset
by the de Lome letter?
 Find a line or phrase that explains why they
would be upset.
USS Maine Explodes
 USS Maine was sent to Cuba to bring American’s home
 On February 15, 1898 the ship exploded
 260 killed
 Newspapers said Spanish blew up the ship
Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine,
Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898
Awake United States!
This song was rushed into print between the sinking of the Maine on
February 16, 1898 and the declaration of war on April 25, 1898.
Eagle soar on high, and sound the battle cry!
How proudly sailed the warship Maine,
a Nation’s pride, without a stain!
A wreck she lies, her sailors slain.
By two-faced butchers, paid by Spain!
Eagle soar on high,
And sound the battle cry
Wave the starry flag!
In mud it shall not drag!
War with Spain Erupts
THE WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES
1. The US first attack the Spanish colony of the Philippines
2. Filipinos supported the Americans because they wanted
freedom from Spain
3. The Spanish surrendered the Philippines to the United
States
The War in the Caribbean
4.
The United States started the hostilities in Cuba with a
blockade
Blockade: using ships or troops to prevent movement
in and out of a port or a region controlled by a hostile
nation
The War in Cuba
5.
American troops in Cuba had more difficulty than they
did in the Philippines
 They were inexperienced volunteers
 Lacked adequate supplies and effective leaders
 Not enough modern guns to go around
 Troops wore heavy woolen uniforms unsuitable for Cuban
climate
The War in Cuba
6. Who were the Rough Riders?
 Rough Riders: volunteer troops under the command of
Theodore Roosevelt, given credit for winning the Battle of
San Juan Hill
 After San Juan Hill the Spanish tried to escape the American
blockade.
7.
8.
The US defeated the Spanish in a Naval battle that
occurred in the harbor off Santiago, Cuba
After the US beat the Spanish in Cuba, American troops
invaded and conquered Puerto Rico
Treaty of Paris
 Spain & the US met in Paris to negotiate a treaty
9. Spain freed Cuba
10. Gave the US the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico
11. Sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million
 After much debate, the United States annexes (adds) the Philippines.