18.2 The Spanish-American War (1898)
Objectives:
1. Contrast American opinions regarding the
Cuban revolt against Spain
2. Identify the events that escalated conflict
between the United States and Spain.
3. Describe the course of the Spanish-American
War and its results.
America’s interest in Cuba
 Both P.R. and Cuba were controlled by Spain
 1886 – Cubans fight for emancipation from Spain
 Leading supplier of sugar to the United States
 1894 – high tariff on Cuban sugar destroys their economy
 Jose Martí leading fight for Cuban independence from Spain
 Led a guerilla group against sugar mills and plantations
 Tried to get U.S. involved.
 Cuba Libre!!!
 American public opinion was split
WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF THE
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR?
 Spanish General Valeriano Weyler cracks down on Cuba, creates
“concentration camps,” thousands die of hunger & disease
 300,000 Cubans were forced into camps!
 Hearst and Pulitzer’s US papers fuel war fever with yellow journalism
 What is Yellow journalism?
 What did Hearst and Pulitzer do/say?
 McKinley pressures Spain and they lessen their control in Cuba
 Modified policy on concentration camps, allowed limited govt.
U.S. Public Opinion Begins to Turn
 De Lome Letter: criticizes Pres. McKinley
 Who is Enrique Dupuy de Lome?
 What did it say? Did anyone agree with it?
 The explosion of the USS Maine Feb. 15, 1898
 Was sent to protect American lives and property
 260 Americans died
 No one knew what happened
 Who was held responsible?
 What do we know today about the explosion?
Why did McKinley call for war with
Spain?
 Popular
 Business interests
 Spanish “despotism”
 U.S.S. Maine incident
 Yellow Press/jingoism
Timeline of Spanish-American War
February 15, 1898
April 20, 1898
May 1, 1898
July 25, 1898
August 12, 1898
February 6, 1899
Spanish-American War
 “Remember the Maine!!”
 U.S. declares war on Spain April 20, 1898
 May 1 - George Dewey landed in Manila and
destroyed the Spanish fleet
 Over 11,000 Americans then joined forces with the
Filipinos, led by Emilio Aguinaldo
 By August, Spanish troops had surrendered to
American forces
Invade Cuba?
 Americans turned their attention to Cuba, but there were some
problems:
 1. Not enough modern equipment
 2. inadequate leaders
 3. Woolen uniforms
 4. Inexperienced and ill-prepared
Who are the Rough Riders?
regiment of American volunteers , including cowboys,
polo players, ex-convicts…and Teddy Roosevelt
Why are they historically significant?
http://www.etsu.edu/cas/history/
resources/Private/Faculty/Fac_F
rom1877ChapterDoc/ChapterIm
ages/Ch19RooseveltandtheRoug
h%20Riders.jpg
San Juan Hill
 17,000 Americans landed in Cuba in June 1898
 Charges by Americans on Kettle Hill (including two African
American regiments) cleared the way for San Juan Hill
 America wins the Battle for San Juan Hill and TR is declared
hero
 Spanish fleet tries to escape but had to surrender to the
American Navy
 America then invaded Puerto Rico
OUTCOMES p. 534
 379 US combat deaths, 5000+ deaths from disease
 Treaty of Paris of 1898:
-Cuba “freed”
-Guam and Puerto Rico are US possessions
-Philippines purchased for $20 million then
annexed to US
 Increase in American prestige abroad
TERMS
 Jose Marti
 Valeriano Weyler
 Yellow journalism
 U.S.S. Maine
 George Dewey
 Rough Riders
 San Juan Hill
Objectives:
1. Contrast American
opinions regarding the
Cuban revolt against
Spain
2. Identify the events that
escalated conflict
between the United
States and Spain.
3. Describe the course of
the Spanish-American
War and its results.