Chapter 23, Section 2:

War With Spain

Main Idea: In 1898, the Spanish-American War

launched an age of American imperialism in the

Caribbean and the Pacific.

A. Tension in Cuba By 1890, Cuba was one of only two remaining Spanish colonies in the

Western Hemisphere (Puerto Rico was the other).

““Cuba Libre!”Cuba Libre!” Cuba revolted from Spain in 1868, but was defeated after 10 years of fighting.

Some revolutionaries fled to the US. Jose’ Marti’ – wrote about Cuban independence in his newspaper Patria

& pushed to “Free Cuba!” for over 25 years Marti’ returned to Cuba in 1895, where he led a new revolution. Although he

died early, others fought on. They destroyed sugar crops hoping that Spain would leave (no profit).

Spain sent General Valeriano Weyler to Cuba to crush the rebellion. Reconcentration – forced ½ million Cubans into detention camps so

they could not aid the rebels. Over 100,000 died from starvation & disease.

American Opinion SplitsAmerican Opinion Splits The US was very concerned over the events in Cuba.

American businesses had over $50 million invested in the Cuban economy & US did over $100 million worth of trade each year w/ Cuba

Some Americans felt US involvement would hurt foreign trade. Others sympathized with Cuban freedom (we fought for our independence in 1776).

Spain in CubaSpain in CubaSpain in CubaSpain in Cuba

* Americans sympathized with the Cuban desire for freedom.

B. Americans Call for War Newspapers (Pulitzer’s World & Hearst’s Journal) whipped up sympathy for

Cuba by printing only Spanish atrocities (cruelty & brutality). Why? – War with Spain = better stories = more sales = bigger profits

Sensational Newspaper StoriesSensational Newspaper Stories Yellow Journalism –newspapers encouraged US involvement in the

conflict between Cuba & Spain. Their stories and headlines were usually exaggerated, biased against Spain, or completely untrue

Hearst to a photographer: “You supply the pictures. I’ll supply the war.” Presidents Cleveland & McKinley tried to keep the US out of the conflict

Cleveland called war fever in the US an “epidemic of insanity.”

““Remember the Remember the MaineMaine!”!” The U.S.S. Maine, which was docked in Havana to “protect American

citizens & property,” has an explosion on board that kills 260 of 350 sailors. Spain is blamed by the American press with no proof to support the claims.

“Destruction of the Warship Maine was the Work of an Enemy” – NY Journal The real cause of the explosion is still somewhat of a mystery. Most

historians believe it was most likely an accident in the boiler or ammo rooms.

Despite no proof, “Remember the Maine!” became the rallying cry for war.

““Yellow Journalism” & Yellow Journalism” & JingoismJingoism

““Yellow Journalism” & Yellow Journalism” & JingoismJingoism

Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer

William Randolph

Hearst

William Randolph

Hearst

Hearst to Frederick Remington:Hearst to Frederick Remington: You furnish the pictures,You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war! and I’ll furnish the war!

"New York Journal" Joseph Pulitzer

"New York World" William Randolph Hearst

· Spain was accused of destroying the Maine, even though it has never been proven. · On April 25, 1898, Congress

declared war on Spain.

Video - wreckage of the battleship Maine Video - burial of the Maine victims

C. The Spanish-American WarVictory in the PhilippinesVictory in the Philippines

Dewey Takes Philippines – Commodore George Dewey smashed Spanish fleet at Manila Bay by noon (“surprised” them)

War in CubaWar in CubaUS soldiers were poorly supplied & organized (wool uniforms, spoiled food)

Rough Riders (TR); Buffalo Soldiers (black)Santiago, San Juan Hill, Kettle HillFollowing Spanish surrender in Cuba, US soldiers claimed Puerto Rico too

A Quick EndA Quick End“It’s been a splendid little war.” – John Hay

only 3 ½ months long (April 25 - August 12) few casualties (only 379 battle deaths) gained land (PR, Guam, Philippines, “Cuba”)

12

The PhilippinesCuba

USA

“A Splendid Little War”

Brave Dewey and His Men - Audio

Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders atop San Juan Heights, 1898

Rough Riders: Video

D. The Debate Over Empire

The Treaty of ParisThe Treaty of ParisCuba gains “independence” (from Spain)

see Platte Amendment (next slide)U.S. gains Puerto Rico (Caribbean) & Guam (Pacific) from SpainU.S. pays Spain $20 million for possession of PhilippinesMany Americans protested the treaty, saying that it made the US a colonial power & the war was fought only to expand US borders (imperialism).Expansionists defended the treaty, saying that it benefited the US economically (new trade territories) & militarily (naval bases).

Also, they argued, the natives in those countries would benefit from exposure to American culture (“uplift & civilize” them)

"Our Terms," Judge, 1898 by Eugene Zimmerman

E. Ruling an EmpireCubaCuba

American soldiers stayed in Cuba after the war until the Cubans agreed to the Platte Amendment, which limited Cuban rights, allowed US to intervene in cuba & gave US control of Guantanamo bay (naval base) .

Puerto RicoPuerto RicoForaker Act gave Puerto Ricans limited say in their affairs. Puerto Ricans were made US citizens in 1917 (a commonwealth)

Revolt in the PhilippinesRevolt in the PhilippinesFilipino nationalists, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, fought for independence from US for 3 years after war. They eventually got it after WWII.

More Americans died fighting in this conflict than in the Spanish-American War (4,000 vs. 400)

Nearly 220,000 Filipinos died (20,000 soldiers)