Exploring American History
American History
Unit VII – The Beginning of Modern America
Chapter 22 Section 2- The Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War : 10:15
The Spanish-American War
The Big Idea
The United States expanded into new parts of the world as a
result of the Spanish-American War.
Main Ideas
• In 1898 the United States went to war with Spain in the
Spanish-American War.
• The United States gained territories in the Caribbean and
Pacific.
Main Idea 1:
In 1898 the United States went to war with
Spain in the Spanish-American War.
• In the late 1890s, Cubans rebelled against Spain.
• Conflict widely reported in U.S. newspapers, especially by
publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst
– Printed sensational, often exaggerated news stories:
technique called yellow journalism
– Stories helped increase public support for military
action
• William McKinley, a supporter of Cuban independence,
was elected in 1896.
American’s Get War Fever
• Americans supported Cuba- Revolutionary war and
opposed the 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.
War with Spain
January
1898
February 15,
1898
April 20,
1898
April 20,
1898
The United States sends the battleship USS
Maine to Havana Harbor to protect U.S. citizens
and economic interests in Cuba.
USS Maine sunk; newspapers blame Spain.
Congress passes a resolution declaring Cuba
independent and demand that Spain leave. They
also passed the Teller Amendment, which said
that the United States had no interest in
controlling Cuba.
Spain declares war on the United States.
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. Maine- 4:00
War in the Philippines- 3:40
• The U.S. Navy, under Commodore George
Dewey, won a quick victory over the Spanish
Pacific fleet in the Philippines on May 1, 1898.
– None of Dewey’s men were killed in battle.
– Dewey had to wait for additional troops to be
sent to secure the Philippines.
• On August 13, U.S. troops and Filipino rebels led
by Emilio Aguinaldo took control of the
Philippine capital of Manila.
War in the Caribbean
• U.S. Army unprepared for Spanish-American War
– Troops had to be increased—from 28,000 to 280,000.
– Did not have enough rifles, bullets, or uniforms
– Harsh living conditions
– 400 killed in battle; 2,000 died of disease
• Rough Riders were a group of volunteers commanded by
Theodore Roosevelt.
– Admired by American people for heroism
– Contributed to solid U.S. victories at Santiago and Kettle Hill
• Spanish Caribbean fleet was destroyed on July 3, 1898.
• U.S. troops invaded Puerto Rico in mid-July.
• Spain signed a cease-fire agreement on August 12, 1898.
War With Spain
• Explain – Why did Pulitzer and Hearst use
yellow journalism in their newpapers?
• Identify Cause and Effect – List four events that
led Congress to declare war on Spain.
• Develop – How might the situation in Cuba
have been developed if the United States had
found evidence that the explosion of the Maine
was accidental?
War With Spain
• Recall – Who commanded the warships that
defeated the Spanish in the Philippines?
• Explain - Why didn’t Dewey occupy the
Philippines immediately after defeating the
Spanish?
• Identify Cause and Effect – What caused the
moral problems for soldiers in the Caribbean?
• Making Inferences- How did Theodore
Roosevelt’s reputation affect his involvement
with Rough Riders?
War With Spain
• Describe – How did the Spanish fleet
fare when they tried to break through
the U.S. blockade around Cuba?
• Make Inferences - Why do you
suppose the Spanish in Puerto Rico
surrendered so easily?
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.
The Course of the War
• Consequences of the War
– Terms of the 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.
• $250 million and over 2,000 soldier deaths (mostly from yellow
fever)
• Huge payoff for U.S.- U.S. now an imperialistic nation- an
expansionists delight.
Main Idea 2:
The United States gained territories in
the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Territorial Gains
• Peace treaty placed Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico,
and the Philippines under U.S. control.
• Some Americans formed the Anti-Imperialist
League, opposing the treaty and the creation of
an American colonial empire.
• Treaty approved in Senate by one vote more
than two-thirds majority needed
New U.S. Territories
Cuba
Puerto Rico
The Philippines
• U.S. military
government put
in place.
• Commission was
sent to Cuba to
fight disease.
• Constitution
drafted and
included Platt
Amendment,
allowing
American
intervention in
Cuban affairs
• Like Cubans and
Filipinos, Puerto
Ricans had
hoped for
independence.
• Made a U.S.
territory
• Puerto Ricans
were granted
U.S. citizenship
in 1917.
• Spain
surrendered
Philippines for
$20 million.
• Filipinos
revolted
against U.S.
control.
• Conflict ended in
1902.
• Congress passed
Philippine
Government Act
in 1902.
United States Gains Territories
• Explain – Why did McKinley set up a military
government in Cuba?
• Evaluate - Judge the reasoning of the AntiImperialist League.
• Recall – When did the United States
government stop being actively involved in
Cuban affairs?
United States Gains Territories
• Identify – What three things were accomplished
in Cuba by Leonard Wood?
• Interpret - What was meant by the Cuban
complaint that they were “handing over the keys
to our house”?
• Compare – How were the hopes of the Puerto
Ricans similar to the those of the Cubans?
United States Gains Territories
• Identify – Calculate the year in which
Puerto Ricans were finally allowed to
elect their own governor.
• Analyze - Why did President
McKinley want control of the
Philippines?
The Price of Freedom- Website
Spanish American War1898-1902