Causes and Events of the Spanish-American War SOL #: II.5a IAN: Pages Table of Contents

Page 43 What were the causes of the Spanish- American War? What were the major events of the Spanish-American War?

Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders U.S.S. Maine “Yellow Journalism” U.S.S. Maine explosion blamed on Spain Philippines Guam Puerto Rico Cuba

Where is Cuba?

Where are the Philippines?

Where is Guam?

Where is Puerto Rico?

U.S. Imperialism With the U.S. now an industrial giant, some Americans began to think it was now time to become a world power. – Colonies – Military bases – Assistant Secretary Theodore Roosevelt – Imperialists

Spain’s Empire Philippines, Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico all belonged to Spain.

1. Cuba Demands Independence 1868: Cubans began to demand their independence from Spain U.S. first chose NOT to get involved 1895: Fighting spreads across Cuba

Spain forces Cubans to move to “encampments” – Crowded – Little food, medicine – Unsanitary Americans become sympathetic and call on the U.S. government to support the Cubans

Cuban Revolution Against Spanish Rule (1:33)

2. American Business in Cuba Late 1890s: Americas invest in Cuban sugar and tobacco business: $50 million Investors concerned as the fighting destroys sugar and tobacco crops American businesses urge the U.S. government to get involved in the war in Cuba

3. Yellow Journalism U.S. newspapers write exciting, but often untrue stories about the Cuban Revolution Publishers saw the war as a way to sell newspapers Yellow journalism encouraged Americans to demand the U.S. government get involved in the war

4. U.S.S. Maine 1898: President McKinley sends the U.S.S. Maine to protect American lives and interests February 15, 1898: The battleship, U.S.S. Maine mysteriously explodes in Havana Harbor, killing 260 American sailors Spain denies involvement; but Yellow Journalism encouraged Americans to “Remember the Maine”

The Story of the U.S.S. Maine (3:56)

Spanish-American War April 25, 1898: President McKinley asks Congress to declare war against Spain. The U.S. was lucky it was going up against a weak enemy. – American army had not fought a war in 33 years – Only had 28,000 troops – Not prepared

Reasons for the Spanish-American War 1.American support of Cuban rebels 2.Protection of American business interests in Cuba 3.Exaggerated news reports of events (Yellow Journalism) 4.Rising tensions as a result of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine p. 44

The Spanish-American War Begins (2:19)

War in the Philippines and Caribbean (3:04)

Spanish-American War Events First battle of the war: May 1, 1898 in the Philippines American fleet of ships destroys a larger Spanish fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay – 7 hour battle – No Americans killed, 8 slightly wounded

Spanish-American War Fighting in Cuba began June 22, – 17,000 U.S. troops came ashore unchallenged – Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt (he had resigned in order to fight) Roosevlet organized a volunteer regiment: Rough Riders – Cowboys, Native Americans, College students

Spanish-American War July 1, 1898: Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill, taking out a small group of Spaniards at the top. This opened a way to the city of Santiago – Roosvelt’s biggest fear: losing his glasses – 12 extra pair in his pockets and the lining of his hat

Spanish-American War For the most part, the war was over on July 3, 1898 when a second Spanish fleet was sunk at the port of Santiago However, the war didn’t officially end for about another month

Spanish-American War Fighting then moved on to the island of Puerto Rico An armistice ended fighting on August 12, How long did the war last? – 105 days or 3 months, 2 weeks and 4 days.

Spanish-American War After Dewey destroyed the Spanish Fleet, in 7 hours on the Philippine Islands, only about 10 days of land fighting occurred in Cuba. Estimates range from 269 to 400 Americans were killed by Spanish bullets – About 5,000 were killed by disease or bad beef from American meat-packing plants

Spanish-American War Some people called this war a “splendid little war.” – Few lives were lost and the U.S. acquired an empire U.S. now controls: – Pacific: Philippines, Guam – Caribbean: Cuba, Puerto Rico

Philippines Guam Cuba Puerto Rico Havana Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Caribbean Sea

Spanish-American War Events 1.February 15, 1898: USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor 2.April 25, 1898: U.S. declares war on Spain 3.May 1, 1898: Com. Dewey sinks the Spanish Fleet at Manila, Philippines 4.June 22, 1898: Land fighting begins in Cuba 5.July 1, 1898: Rough Riders take San Juan Hill 6.July 3, 1898: 2nd Spanish Fleet sunk at Santiago 7.August 12, 1898: Treaty ends the war p. 44

Review Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines belonged to which country? – Spain The country that wanted independence with which Americans sympathized. – Cuba

Review Why did American businesses want to get involved in Cuban independence? – To protect their business interests (sugar, tobacco) What else encouraged Americans to want war with Spain? Hint: It helped sell newspapers. – Yellow journalism What U.S. battleship exploded in Havana Harbor? – USS Maine

Review On which island did the war start? – Philippines Who led a group of volunteers in this war? – Theodore Roosevelt What was that group called? – Rough Riders

Review How long did the war last? – 105 days Most of the Americans killed in this war died from what? – Disease What did some Americans call this war? – Splendid little war