American History II
Unit 3 – Imperialism & WWI
3.2 – The Spanish-American War
Review
• What is imperialism?
• What were 3 motives for American imperialism during the mid-late 1800s?
• For what reasons was Hawaii important to the US?
• Who was Queen Liliuokalani and what was her attitude on American annexation of Hawaii?
• Describe the different approaches POTUS Cleveland and POTUS McKinley took to
Hawaiian annexation.
Spanish Empire as of 1898
• By late 1800s, Spain’s only remaining colonies were the Philippines, Guam, several outposts
in Africa, Cuba and Puerto Rico
America and Cuba
• Why was Cuban independence appealing to the US?
American History II
Unit 3 – Imperialism & WWI
3.2 – The Spanish-American War
Cuba’s 2nd War for Independence
• 1895 – ________________________________________________________ (Cuban
revolutionary) organized another Cuban rebellion against Spain
• “Cuba Libre” – Free Cuba! slogan
• Guerilla (ambush-style fighting) campaign on Spanish troops
• Deliberate destruction of property
• including American-owned sugar mills/plantations
• Wanted to provoke US intervention and hopefully help free Cuba
• What were some opinions held by Americans concerning intervention in Cuba?
• 1896 – Spain sent General Valeriana _________________________________________ to
Cuba to end rebellion
• Herded the populations in central and western Cuba into concentration camps
• ~300,000 people, many died of starvation or disease
Causes of the Spanish-American War
• What were the 3 major factors that fueled war between America and Spain?
Rise of Yellow Journalism
• ____________________________________________________________________ and
_____________________________________________________________ used the events
in Cuba to sell papers in the US
American History II
Unit 3 – Imperialism & WWI
3.2 – The Spanish-American War
• Rivalry  who could sell the most papers using the most sensational headlines
• “Butch Weyler,” stories of poisoned wells, children being thrown to sharks
• Reporters and illustrators sent to Cuba to photograph or draw the events
• Yellow journalism –
 How did yellow journalism fuel calls for war with Spain?
The De Lôme Letter
• 1897 – McKinley took office, sought to resolve tensions with Spain through
___________________________________________________ (negotiations)
• Some success - Spain recalled Weyler, decreased concentration camps, and offered
Cuba limited self-government.
• How did the De Lome letter fuel calls for war with Spain?
Explosion of USS Maine
• Early 1898 – McKinley sent the USS Maine to Cuba to bring home Americans in danger
during the rebellion
• Feb 15, 1898 – USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor  260 killed
• Reason for explosion unknown
• How did the explosion of the USS Maine fuel calls for war with Spain?
American History II
Unit 3 – Imperialism & WWI
3.2 – The Spanish-American War
War with Spain Erupts
• Yellow journalism + de Lome letter + USS Maine explosion  war fever in US
• McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain  ______________________________
– US declaration of war on Spain
S-A War in the Philippines
• April 1898 – US fleet sent to Philippines (Spanish colony)
• Commodore George __________________________________________ gave the
command to fire on the Spanish fleet in ________________________________________
(Philippine capital)  destroyed every Spanish ship, American victory
• Support from Filipinos, led by _________________________________________________
(Filipino revolutionary)  August 1898 – Spanish troops in Manila surrendered to US
S-A War in the Caribbean
• US victory in Philippines proved US naval strength  US naval blockade on Cuban coast
• Trained US army was small and relied on larger volunteer force.
• What were some challenged faced by volunteer forces?
• June 1898 – American army forces landed in Cuba.
• 4 black regiments – “___________________________________________________”
as they previously fought in various wars against Native Americans
• Rough Riders –
• July 1898 - Battle of ______________________________________________________
• Rough Riders and 2 black regiments (9th and 10th Cavalries) cleared the way won an
uphill battle at Kettle Hill, near ________________________________________
American History II
Unit 3 – Imperialism & WWI
3.2 – The Spanish-American War
• Cleared the way for a successful infantry attack on San Juan Hill
• Roosevelt’s Rough Riders played a small role in the victory, but US papers declared
him a war hero
• Several days later, US naval victory in Santiago’s harbor  destruction of Spanish
fleet
• July 25, 1898 – US invaded _______________________________________________
Treaty of Paris
• August 12, 1898 – US and Spain agreed to an ___________________________________ agreement to end fighting, a cease-fire
• US Sec. of State – “a splendid little war” (15 weeks)
• December 10, 1898 – US and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris
• What did the Treaty of Paris propose concerning Spanish colonies?
Debate over Treaty of Paris
• Imperialism debate… should the US annex the Philippines and Puerto Rico?
ANTI Annexation of gained territories
PRO Annexation of gained territories
• February 6, 1899 – Senate approved Treaty of Paris
• US empire = Guam, Puerto Rico, and Philippines