Spanish American War“A Splendid Little War”

Causes of Spanish American War• American Sympathy towards Cuban Fight

for Freedom against Spanish Rule• Monroe Doctrine – chance to get Spain out of

Western Hemisphere• Economic Interests – sugar plantations• Yellow Journalism – American Press got

American’s behind going to war• The de lome letter - written by the

Spanish minister at Washington, expressed contempt for Pres.McKinley.Published by by W.R. Hearst

• Spark: Sinking of the USS Maine

Sinking of the USS Maine– On February 15, 1898, the

battleship U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor

– 266 US Servicemen killed– Blamed on a Spanish mine

Yellow JournalismA type of journalism that distorts and exaggerates the

news to create sensations and attract readers

William Randolph Hearst vs Joseph Pulitzer.New York Journal New York World

Characteristics of Yellow Journalism

Characteristics of Yellow Journalism:• Headlines in huge print, often of minor news • Many pictures, or imaginary drawings• Use of faked interviews, misleading headlines,

and false information from so-called experts • Dramatic sympathy with the "underdog" against

the system. • Emotional words and symbols; scare tactics

Does Yellow JournalismStill Exist?

President William McKinley, Jr.

• 25th President• Wanted to avoid war in

Cuba• Yellow journalism and

public supported war• In April 1898, President

McKinley abandoned his failed diplomatic efforts and asked Congress for permission to intervene in Cuba.

A colorful volunteer cavalry unit led by Teddy Roosevelt.

Composed of cowboys, college students, ex-polo players, steeple chasers, and other adventurous types.

Undisciplined and not always effective. They did embody the overall American

fighting spirit for this war. The press LOVED them…They became legendary after they

charged up San Juan Hill. This hill was important strategically. The Americans charged up the hill on foot and demoralized the Spanish who held the hill.

The Rough Riders

Battle of Manila Bay– Admiral Dewey – Surprise

attack on the Spanish Fleet in Manila Harbor

– All Spanish Ships are Sunk– Battle lasts seven hours– Only 9 Americans wounded

– T. Roosevelt led the “Rough Riders” to victory– Only major land battle of the war– Spanish Defeated

Battle of San Juan Hill

Battle of Santiago de Cuba• A decisive victory for the US Navy • Complete destruction of the Spanish

fleet in Cuba. • One American killed and

10 wounded• Spain signs Treat of Paris

Ending the War

Effects of the Spanish American War

• US becomes an Imperialist Power

• Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines become colonies of the US

• Cuba gains its independence from Spain, but becomes a US Protectorate– US will “protect” and partially control Cuba

• Philippine rebels wanting independence declare war on US

America’s New Empire

What really happened to the Battleship Maine?