The Spanish-American War
Background Info
Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Philippines are all Spanish colonies
Cubans were tired of the poor treatment and failing economy
Organized a revolt and began to fight against Spanish rule
Background Info
US business men were upset because of trade disruption
“Yellow Journalism” began to outrage US citizens with exaggerated claims of Spanish brutality in Cuba
Cuba wanted be independent
Cuban Revolt
President William McKinley - Doesn’t want a war
Public opinion forced US into action
McKinley demanded Spain stop its harsh treatment of Cubans
Sent the USS Maine to rescue US citizens from a riot in Havana that was led by Anti-American “Voluntarios”
USS Maine Havana Harbor (Cuba) in 1898
USS Maine
Was initially reported by William Randolph Hearst’s newspapers that the USS Maine was sunk as a Spanish conspiracy
Sinking was actually caused by a submarine mine
Took the lives of 250 men
War Has Begun
While all the revolts were taking place in Cuba
Rioting and fighting for independence was also happening in the Philippines
The US was also preparing to act on the problems in the Philippines
War Has Begun
July 3, 1898- war began with the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
Largest naval battle-ended in total destruction of Spanish Caribbean fleet
Americans took the town of Santiago
War continues
Germany had interests in Manila and offered aide
US called Germany’s bluff and showed intention to fight
Germany backs down. August 13, 1898- US takes control of Manila unaware that the war ended a day earlier
End of the War
July 1, 1898 – San Juan Hill is captured
July 17 1898 - Santiago is held
August 12 1898 - Truce is signed
Secretary of State John Hay referred to the war as “a splendid little
war”
Treaty of Paris is Signed
December 1898 – Paris
Philippines did not get their freedom and became an US colony
Filipinos were angry and felt betrayed
Spain had to give all its colonies to the US
Platt Amendment - gave the US the right to intervene into Cuban affairs