The Spanish American War CHAPTER 7 SECTION 2

Causes of the War 1. Cuban dissatisfaction: ◦Several rebellions had occurred trying to get the US involved and were successful by using the press to make the Spanish look bad 2. Yellow Journalism: ◦The style of exaggerated reporting in order to sell more papers. 3. US Imperialist Sympathies: ◦Many Americans wanted to give aid to the Cubans who were suffering under Spanish control. 4. American Investment in Cuba: ◦American businessmen had invested in the sugar industry in Cuba, and wanted to protect their investment 5. Immediate Causes: ◦Two important events took place that spurred the US into action…

1. A Published Letter In 1898, the New York Journal published a letter written by Dupuy de Lome, Spain’s ambassador to the United States. This letter had fallen into the hands of a Cuban spy who passed it on to William Hearst, the publisher of the New York Journal. The letter described President McKinley as “weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd, besides being a common politician.” This was published in newspapers across the US, and people were outraged.

2. Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine Less than a week after the letter, an American warship, the USS Maine, anchored in Havana, Cuba, in order to protect American lives and property. The Maine mysteriously blew up, killing 260 American sailors ◦There were other explanations for the explosion, but the yellow press blamed the Spanish ◦“Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!” After these two incidents, the public wanted to invade Cuba and go to war with the Spanish. So the President and Congress created the Teller Amendment: stated that once Cuba was free from Spanish rule, the US would leave. Feeling the pressure from Americans, on April 25 th 1898, Congress declared war on Spain.

6 “Awake United States!” This song was rushed into print between the sinking of the Maine on February 15, 1898, and the declaration of war on April 25, Eagle soar on high, and sound the battle cry! And how proudly sailed the warship Maine, a Nation’s pride, without a stain! A wreck she lies, her sailors slain. By two-faced butchers, paid by Spain! Eagle soar on high, And sound the battle cry Wave the starry flag! In mud it shall not drag!

The Course of the War Most men who fought in the war were enlisted men (regulars), but there were many volunteers as well ◦Most famous were the Rough Riders: a regiment organized by Theodore Roosevelt, and were made up of college athletes, cowboys, ranchers, and miners ◦Buffalo soldiers also fought in the Span-Am War The goal was to capture the port city of Santiago and control the hills around the city. After the battle of San Juan Hill, we took control of Santiago and sank the entire Spanish fleet. Two weeks later, Spanish troops in Cuba surrendered When the war was over, fewer that 400 American soldiers had died in battle or from combat wounds however over 2,000 died from yellow fever.

Consequences of the War The Treaty of Paris: ◦Spain had to give up all claims to Cuba and cede Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States ◦Spain also turned control of the Philippines over to the US in exchange for 20 million dollars The war became known as the “Splendid Little War” ◦It marked our official beginning as an Imperial power ◦The war was brief, and we were the victors ◦Soon after the controversy began over whether or not to annex the Philippines