The Spanish American War
Notes Page
• For centuries,
Cuba had been
controlled by
Spain. Cubans
were fighting for
independence.
U.S. businessmen were worried about destruction of
trade, government leaders worried about a rebellion, and
the American people were concerned about atrocities
(violence/abuse) against Cuban citizens.
What was causing many Americans to
get more interested in going to war?
Yellow Journalism
• President McKinley
wanted to stay neutral.
• What new information
might have changed the
U.S. involvement in the
war? Finding out that the
sinking of the Maine was an
accident.
The U.S. was forced to
be involved after what
incident? The sinking
of the Battleship Maine
by the Spanish.
• What did the Filipinos have in common with
the Cubans? Both wanted independence from
Spain.
• What happened at Manila
Bay in the Philippines? U.S.
launched a surprise attack
on the Spanish fleet and
destroyed most of their ships.
• What did Teddy Roosevelt do to contribute
to the war after leaving his job with the
navy? He led the 1st regiment of the U.S. Calvary
volunteers (called the Rough Riders)
• What happened in the battle of Santiago Bay? American
troops blocked the coast and trapped the Spanish Fleet,
heavy fighting took place and eventually the Spanish
were defeated.
• After defeating the Spanish in Cuba, we quickly landed in
Puerto Rico and claimed it as well.
• Spain signed an armistice or peace agreement, ending
the war.
• The war lasted fewer than 4 months and 400 U.S. soldiers
were killed in battle.
• More than 2,000 U.S. troops
died from diseases.
• The treaty to end the war
was called the Treaty of Paris.
• In this treaty, the U.S. received 3 things:
a. Cuba became an American
protectorate
b. Puerto Rico and Guam became U.S.
territories
c. Spain sold us the Philippines for $20
million dollars.
• People who did not want to take over
new lands were called anti-imperialists.
They did not like this because:
– they felt it contradicted with principles on which the
U.S. was founded,
– worried about the large army needed to protect new
territories,
– and feared competition with Filipino workers.
• Why did some people like getting all this
new land?
– Because it showed the world we
had power
– and were willing to fight to keep
the peace around the world.
• Why do you think the Filipino
and Cubans were mad at the
U.S. after the war (you have to
think about this one)?
We helped them, and then
we took over their country!