Spanish America n War “A Splendid Little War”

Spanish American War In 1895 Cuban nationalists began a revolt against the Spanish government. In 1895 Cuban nationalists began a revolt against the Spanish government. The U.S. was concerned about protection of American business interests in Cuba. The U.S. was concerned about protection of American business interests in Cuba. American business owned huge areas of land in Cuba to grow sugar, and the sugar trade was very profitable for U.S. business. American business owned huge areas of land in Cuba to grow sugar, and the sugar trade was very profitable for U.S. business.

Reasons for the Spanish American War Protection of American Business Interests in Cuba (i.e. sugar cane) Protection of American Business Interests in Cuba (i.e. sugar cane)

Sugar Cane was a Profitable Crop for American Business in Cuba

Reasons for the Spanish American War American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain

Spanish American War Cubans had been unhappy with Spanish rule for some time. Cubans had been unhappy with Spanish rule for some time. Americans were sympathetic towards the Cuban’s, who had endured Spain's cruel treatment and their harsh attempts to put down the Cuban revolt. Americans were sympathetic towards the Cuban’s, who had endured Spain's cruel treatment and their harsh attempts to put down the Cuban revolt. This cruel treatment increased support in the U.S. for Cuba's struggle for independence. This cruel treatment increased support in the U.S. for Cuba's struggle for independence. President McKinley, however, had personally seen so much death and destruction during the Civil War that he was hesitant to get involved. President McKinley, however, had personally seen so much death and destruction during the Civil War that he was hesitant to get involved.

Cuban Rebels Fought for Their Independence from Spain

Battleship Maine The battleship U.S.S.Maine was sent to Cuba to show American support for the Cuban rebels. The battleship U.S.S.Maine was sent to Cuba to show American support for the Cuban rebels. The Maine had been in Havana Harbor three weeks when the captain wrote “the trouble in Cuba was almost over and the new Spanish governor had the situation under control.” The Maine had been in Havana Harbor three weeks when the captain wrote “the trouble in Cuba was almost over and the new Spanish governor had the situation under control.”

U.S.S. Maine

Reasons for the Spanish American War Rising tensions between Spain and the United States as a result of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor Rising tensions between Spain and the United States as a result of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor

Battleship Maine After being anchored in Cuba for over three weeks, the battleship Maine mysteriously exploded and sank one night, killing 266 men. After being anchored in Cuba for over three weeks, the battleship Maine mysteriously exploded and sank one night, killing 266 men. The American press immediately blamed the Spanish, though there was no evidence that the Spanish were responsible for the sinking. The American press immediately blamed the Spanish, though there was no evidence that the Spanish were responsible for the sinking. In order to attract readers they even faked pictures showing Spanish soldiers planting mines around the ship. In order to attract readers they even faked pictures showing Spanish soldiers planting mines around the ship. Hundreds of newspaper articles demanded revenge. Hundreds of newspaper articles demanded revenge. In 1976 it was discovered that the explosion was accidental and not done by the Spanish. In 1976 it was discovered that the explosion was accidental and not done by the Spanish.

U.S.S. Maine

Reasons for the Spanish American War Exaggerated news reports of events (yellow journalism) Exaggerated news reports of events (yellow journalism)

Yellow Journalism Newspapers, competing for sales, exaggerated stories of the horrors of Cuban life under oppressive Spanish rule. Newspapers, competing for sales, exaggerated stories of the horrors of Cuban life under oppressive Spanish rule. The Spanish had sent many Cubans to concentration camps, which the newspaper press called "death camps." The Spanish had sent many Cubans to concentration camps, which the newspaper press called "death camps." The newspapers wrote headlines like “Spanish Cannibalism”, and ‘Inhuman Torture”. The newspapers wrote headlines like “Spanish Cannibalism”, and ‘Inhuman Torture”. In return, these newspapers sent hundreds of reporters, artists, and photographers to Cuba to report on Spain’s brutality toward the Cubans. In return, these newspapers sent hundreds of reporters, artists, and photographers to Cuba to report on Spain’s brutality toward the Cubans.

Yellow Journalism One photographer sent to cover the Cuban revolt sent back the message, "There is no war, request to be called back home.“ One photographer sent to cover the Cuban revolt sent back the message, "There is no war, request to be called back home.“ His boss (William Randolph Hurst) sent back a telegram, "Please remain, you supply the pictures, I'll supply the war.“ His boss (William Randolph Hurst) sent back a telegram, "Please remain, you supply the pictures, I'll supply the war.“ These newspaper stories of Spanish cruelty toward the Cubans sold newspapers and turned public opinion in favor of America helping the Cuban rebels. These newspaper stories of Spanish cruelty toward the Cubans sold newspapers and turned public opinion in favor of America helping the Cuban rebels.

The Spanish American War The U.S. declared war on Spain after the U.S.S. Maine incident The U.S. declared war on Spain after the U.S.S. Maine incident Most of the fighting occurred in Cuba and the Philippines. Most of the fighting occurred in Cuba and the Philippines. Future President Teddy Roosevelt and his “Rough Riders” played an important role in defeating the Spaniards at San Juan Hill, Cuba Future President Teddy Roosevelt and his “Rough Riders” played an important role in defeating the Spaniards at San Juan Hill, Cuba YouTube - Rough Riders Charge San Juan Hill

The Spanish American War "Remember the Maine!“, could be heard everywhere… in the papers, on the streets, and in the halls of Congress

U.S. Becomes a World Power The war itself lasted only four months, from mid-April to mid- August There were 379 American combat deaths, but more than 5,000 soldiers died of disease. The war itself lasted only four months, from mid-April to mid- August There were 379 American combat deaths, but more than 5,000 soldiers died of disease.

U.S. Becomes a World Power The Spanish American War marked the emergence of the United States as a world power. The Spanish American War marked the emergence of the United States as a world power. Spain and the United States signed a peace treaty in Paris on December 10, 1898 ending the war. Spain and the United States signed a peace treaty in Paris on December 10, 1898 ending the war. In the peace treaty Cuba gained its independence and the United States gained possession of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. In the peace treaty Cuba gained its independence and the United States gained possession of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Results of the Spanish American War United States emerged as a World Power

Results of the Spanish American War Cuba gained independence from Spain

Results of the Spanish American War The United States gained possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico

Guam Philippines Puerto Rico

Results of the Spanish American War President McKinley helped the US through this war and gaining these territories

Reasons for the Spanish American War Protection of American business interests in Cuba Protection of American business interests in Cuba American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain Rising tensions between Spain and the U.S. after the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor Rising tensions between Spain and the U.S. after the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor Exaggerated news reports of events Exaggerated news reports of events (yellow journalism) United States emerged as a World Power Cuba gained independence from Spain The United States gained possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico President McKinley helped the US through this war and gaining these territories Results of the Spanish American War