Spanish-American WarHas someone ever told you something

that shocked or angered you?

Did you consider first if the information was true or not?

Cuba

Americans tried to buy Cuba from Spain in 1854-Spain refused.

Cubans rebelled against Spain › (1st time) Cubans lost but Americans

gained control of large sugar cane plantations on the island.

Cuba

Jose Marti led Revolution in 1895 (the 2nd rebellion)› Guerrilla Warfare technique › “Cuba Libre!”-a free Cuba

Rising Tensions

Spain sent Valeriano Weyler to restore order› Weyler sent many Cubans into

concentration camps-hundreds died from starvation and disease.

› Yellow Journalism made stories seem worse and the American people bought a lot of what they were writing about.

Rising Tensions

The De Lome Letter › President McKinely tried to resolve things

with Spain peacefully and was successful.› In February 1898-the NEW York Journal

published a private letter written from De Lome about President McKinley.

› Quotes from the letter “weak”- “a bidder of the admiration of the crowd”

› Spain apologized but Americans were not happy.

Rising Tensions

U.S.S. Maine explodes- February 15, 1898› The ship went to Cuba to bring home

American citizens living there. › 260 men were killed› No one knew why the ship exploded but

newspapers instantly blamed Spain.› War was inevitable

U.S.S Maine

War with Spain

On April 20, 1898-United States declared war on Spain.

War in the Philippines› Commodore George Dewey attacked the

Spanish fleet at Manila.› Filipinos supported the Americans because

they to wanted freedom from Spain.› In August Spain surrendered the

Philippians to the United States.

War with Spain

Caribbean Front› Admiral William T. Sampson led a blockade

of Spanish forces in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba.

› We had a better navy but our army was not strong. The army consistent of a bunch of volunteers that did not have much to any experience.

› Our troops were given woolen uniforms to wear in the heat of Cuba.

Cuba Blockade

War with Spain

Caribbean Front (cont.)› Our officers were mostly Civil War

veterans.› The Rough Riders were a voluntary Calvary

unit led by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt.

› The most famous battle of the War happened near Santiago where The Rough Riders charged up hill at Kettle Hill winning the battle and paving the way for the Americans to take San Juan Hill.

War with Spain

Caribbean Front(cont.)› Although Roosevelt played a minor role in

the outcome at San Juan Hill he was given the “Hero’s” status.

› The Spanish fleet then tried to escape the blockade at Cuba-this attempt failed and the whole Spanish fleet was destroyed.

› Americans then invaded Puerto Rico

Treaty and a Change of Policy

Treaty of Paris (December 10, 1898)› Spain freed Cuba, Islands of Guam and

Puerto Rico was given to the United States › We bought the Philippians for 20 million

dollars

Treaty and a Change of Policy

The Debate over the Treaty of Paris› President McKinley wanted to spread

Christianity to the Philippians.› Many people thought that we were going

against the Declaration of Independence by denying self-government to the newly acquired territories.

› On February 18, 1899, the Senate approved the Treaty of Paris.

Assignment

Quiz tomorrow on Section 1 and the Spanish-American war.