Americans tried to buy Cuba from Spain
in 1854-Spain refused.
 Cubans rebelled against Spain

› (1st time) Cubans lost but Americans gained
control of large sugar cane plantations on
the island.

Jose Marti led Revolution in 1895 (the 2nd
rebellion)
› Guerrilla Warfare technique
› “Cuba Libre!”-a free Cuba

Spain sent Valeriano Weyler to restore
order
› Weyler sent many Cubans into
concentration camps-hundreds died from
starvation and disease.
› Yellow Journalism made stories seem worse
and the American people bought a lot of
what they were writing about.

The De Lome Letter
› President McKinely tried to resolve things with
Spain peacefully and was successful.
› In February 1898-the NEW York Journal
published a private letter written from De
Lome about President McKinley.
› Quotes from the letter “weak”- “a bidder of
the admiration of the crowd”
› Spain apologized but Americans were not
happy.

U.S.S. Maine explodes- February 15, 1898
› The ship went to Cuba to bring home
American citizens living there.
› 260 men were killed
› No one knew why the ship exploded but
newspapers instantly blamed Spain.
› War was inevitable
On April 20, 1898-United States declared
war on Spain.
 War in the Philippines

› Commodore George Dewey attacked the
Spanish fleet at Manila.
› Filipinos supported the Americans because
they to wanted freedom from Spain.
› In August Spain surrendered the Philippians
to the United States.

Caribbean Front
› Admiral William T. Sampson led a blockade
of Spanish forces in the harbor of Santiago
de Cuba.
› We had a better navy but our army was not
strong. The army consistent of a bunch of
volunteers that did not have much to any
experience.
› Our troops were given woolen uniforms to
wear in the heat of Cuba.

Caribbean Front (cont.)
› Our officers were mostly Civil War veterans.
› The Rough Riders were a voluntary Calvary
unit led by Leonard Wood and Theodore
Roosevelt.
› The most famous battle of the War
happened near Santiago where The Rough
Riders charged up hill at Kettle Hill winning
the battle and paving the way for the
Americans to take San Juan Hill.

Caribbean Front(cont.)
› Although Roosevelt played a minor role in
the outcome at San Juan Hill he was given
the “Hero’s” status.
› The Spanish fleet then tried to escape the
blockade at Cuba-this attempt failed and
the whole Spanish fleet was destroyed.
› Americans then invaded Puerto Rico

Treaty of Paris (December 10, 1898)
› Spain freed Cuba, Islands of Guam and
Puerto Rico was given to the United States
› We bought the Philippians for 20 million
dollars

The Debate over the Treaty of Paris
› President McKinley wanted to spread
Christianity to the Philippians.
› Many people thought that we were going
against the Declaration of Independence by
denying self-government to the newly
acquired territories.
› On February 18, 1899, the Senate approved
the Treaty of Paris.

Quiz tomorrow on Section 1 and the
Spanish-American war.