THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WARPART I

QUICK RECAPWhat is the difference between

EXPANSIONISM&

IMPERIALISM?

Have you been the bully or the bullied?

1890s: The U.S.• Rapid growth in industry after Civil War results in nat’l wealth• Western frontier had closed (no more left to discover…the end of

Cattle Kingdom)

Is MANIFEST DESTINY still relevant???

Now…look to foreign markets to sustain our economy

1893 World’s Columbian Exposition

• Chicago- 400th anniversary of discovery of the new world- 27 million: ¼ of nation’s population visit fairgrounds (largest tourist attraction in history)

Inspires visitors to indulge in America’s glorious past/ delve into glorious future?...

Teddy Roosevelt says

• 1897: “I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one” (not president until 1901)

Knowing what you know about the U.S. mentality and about Teddy Roosevelt, why

would he say this?!

Where do we draw the line between extending “manifest destiny” and bullying?

SPAM(Spanish American War)

- Cuba: Spanish-ruled island 90 miles off coast of Florida- Cuban patriots revolted against harsh Spanish rule- American public wanted President McKinley to take action

to help them

Tensions in Cuba• Jose Marti led Cuban rebels in their fight against Spain,

coining the battle cry, “Cuba Libre!” (Free Cuba).• Spain sent General Valeriano Weyler to be a governor

to Cuba (Uses brutal tactics to crush revolt)

Cuba Libre!!!

…..NO!

Tensions in Cuba– Reconcentration: policy of moving large numbers of

people into camps for political or military purposes• 100,000 Cubans in rebel reconcentration camps died from

starvation & disease

American Opinion• Americans had invested $50 million in Cuba– Rice & sugar plantations, railroads, tobacco, mines– Trade with Cuba = $100 million per year

American Opinion• Opinion split over whether U.S. should intervene in

Cuba or not– NO: it could hurt our foreign trade– YES: It’s our duty as Americans to help Cubans achieve

their freedom like we did during the American Revolution

Henry Cabot Lodge (Senator Massachusetts)

“They have risen against oppression, … which led us to rebel against England …they should have the sympathy

of the people of the U.S.”

Americans Call for War

• Pulitzer & Hearst compete to print the most grisly stories about Spanish atrocities: wartime acts of cruelty & brutality – War sells more newspapers!!! – Yellow journalism: reporting that relied on sensational

stories and headlines that were biased or untrue.

• Still, McKinley wanted to stay neutral

“Remember the Maine”

• 1898- fighting broke out in Havana; capital of Cuba• McKinley sent U.S. battleship Maine to protect U.S. citizens

& property there• While anchored in the harbor, an explosion destroys the

Maine– 260 died of the 350 U.S. crew

“Remember the Maine”

• The real cause of the explosion remains a mystery. Maybe…– Boiler blew up– Accident in ship’s ammunition room

“Remember the Maine”

SPAM- U.S. papers covered stories of brutality/ cruelty daily

• Exaggerated or made up to stir American anger• Sound familiar?...

–Under growing public pressure, McKinley signs declaration of war against Spain on April 25th, 1898

RESULT:(SPAM) Spanish American War: 1898 war between

Spain & U.S. that lasted 4 months

LEGO LIBRE!

In your group, create a scene depicting one of the following themes/events:•Expansionism • Yellow Journalism

• Imperialism • “Remember the Maine”

• White Man’s Burden • Cuba Libre!• Cuban Reconcentration

You have 10 minutes to complete your creation