The Spanish-American War
The Coming War Spain’s Last Colonies in the Western Hemisphere In the Spanish-American War, the US defeated Spanish troops in Cuba and the Philippines. Afterward the US annexed the Philippines and became an imperial power. Spain’s Last Colonies in the Western Hemisphere Cuba and Puerto Rico Cuban periodically revolted against the Spanish Americans began to view the Spanish as tyrants. Cuba- one of Spain’s oldest colonies in the America’s Cuba produced 1/3 of world’s sugar Slavery abolished in Cuba 1886—until then, 1/3 of Cuba was enslaved. US Economic Ties to Cuba By the 1890’s the US & Cuba are linked economically. Cuba exported much sugar to the US Americans had $50 million invested in Cuba (mines, Railroads, businesses, sugar plantations) 1894- The US passed a new tariff on sugar= devastated the Cuban economy.
The Cuban Rebellion Begins 1868– Cubans attempted unsuccessfully to rebel against Spain (led by Jose Marti) Marti was exiled and lived in NY & he raised supplies, weapons, money, and trained men to invade Cuba one day. 1895- Economic crisis in Cuba gave rebels an opening to launch new rebellion. Feb. 1895– Jose Marti’s followers led another revolt in Cuba (Marti Died) & seized eastern Cuba and declared Independence from Spain. The Republic of Cuba was born Sept. 1895. America Supports Cuba At first President Cleveland declared that the US would be neutral in the conflict. Many Americans supported the Cuban people because it was like our revolution for Independence (some even smuggled guns to the rebels). Most important factor in American’s supporting Cuba– stories of Spanish cruelty to the Cuban people reported in two US newspapers (The New York World and the New York Journal) Joseph Pulitzer owned the NY World and William Randolph Hearst owned the NY Journal. In order to sell more papers, these competing newspapers printed exaggerated & made up stories about Spanish cruelty to the Cuban people(Yellow Journalism).
Spain Attempts to Stop the Rebellion Although most stories about Spanish cruelty were made up or exaggerated, the Cubans did suffer. The Spanish sent 200,000 troops to Cuba to stop the rebellion. Gen. Valeriano Weyler (Spanish Gen.) led them; Cubans called him the “Butcher”. Weyler herded hundreds of Cubans into “reconcentration camps”) Tens of thousands of Cubans died of starvation & disease. Cuban Rebels Targeted US Investments The Cuban rebels used “hit & run” raids against US investments in Cuba such as mines, trains, sugar plantations. The Cuban rebels hoped by attacking US investments, the US would intervene to stop the war.
America Attempts to Stay Out In 1897, William McKinley became US president and did not want to intervene in the war. Sept. 1897- McKinley asked Spanish if the US could help negotiate an end to the Cuban conflict—warned that if it did not end…the US might intervene. Spain removed Gen. Weyler from power & offered Cuba autonomy (self-rule) but stay part of Spanish Empire---the Cuban rebels refused to accept. Jan. 1898--Spanish loyaliists revolted in Havana, Cuba; angered about the deal offered. President McKinley decided to send the USS Maine to Havana, Cuba in case any Americans there wanted to evacuate. Calls for War in the US Feb. 9, 1898- the NY Journal printed a letter written by the Spanish Ambassador to the US calling President McKinley “weak”---this nagered many Americans. Feb. 15, 1898- the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba killing over 200 sailors. Noone was quite sure what happened---but suspected the Spanish. “Remember the Maine” was a rallying cry in the US
The US Goes to War Congress authorized the President to spend $50 million for war preparations. McKinley faced pressure to go to war from Republicans in his party –”jingoists”. “Jingoists” were aggressive nationalists. The Democrats also called for war & Republicans feared democrats might win the next election if McKinley failed to demand war. April 11, 1898– McKinley asked Congress for authorization to use force. April 19,1898- US Congress declares Cuba independent & demanded Spain withdraw. April 24, 1898- Spain declared war on the US. 1ST TIME IN 50 YEARS THAT THE US WAS A WAR WITH A FOREIGN NATION.
The War on Two Fronts War Front: The Philippines The US NAVY was ready for war with Spain. US navy’s North Atlantic Squadron blockaded Cuba. US navy squad stationed in Hong Kong (led by Commodore George Dewey) ordered to steam to Philippines to attack Spanish fleet there. War Front: The Philippines May 1898, Commodore George Dewey’s squadron entered Manila Bay & destroyed all 8 Spanish warships. The US army was not ready to take the islands—20,000 US troops left the US to sail to Philippines—along the way they captured Guam. Dewey used the help of Filipino Revolutionaries (led by Emilio Aguinaldo) to take the islands from the Spanish while waiting for US forces to arrive. The rebels took the islands from the Spanish & the US took the capital Manila.
Battle Front: Cuba US Troops in Action in Cuba Neither the US nor Spain was prepared for war in Cuba. Spain Weakened by disease and months of fighting rebels. Warships old and outdated The US Had many volunteers but lacked resources to train & equip them. Epidemics broke out in US training camps More died of disease than killed by Spanish. US Troops in Action in Cuba June 14, 1898- 17,000 US troops landed in Santiago, Cuba. Spanish Fleet well-protected by heavy guns in Santiago Harbor. US planners wanted to capture the artillery and force the Spanish fleet into open water.
Battle Front: Cuba The Rough Riders One of the most famous US fighting units of the Spanish-American War . Composed of miners, cowboys, college jocks, and law officers. Led by Col. Leonard Wood; Second in command- Theodore Roosevelt. Taking Santiago The US forces, including the Rough Riders conducted a multi-pronged attack on several towns surrounding Santiago. El Caney– attacked on July 1st by US troops. San Juan Heights- where one of the most famous battles occurred “Battle of San Juan Hill”. Battle of Kettle Hill- attacked by the Rough Riders & all black 9th & 10th Regiments. The Spanish commander in Santiago panicked & ordered the Spanish fleet to leave the harbor US warships sunk or disabled all Spanish ships. Two weeks later Spain surrendered Santiago to the US US captured Spanish colony at Puerto Rico.
American Empire As Spanish & US officials met to negotiate and end to the war, Americans debated what to do with newly acquired lands. The Treaty of Paris 1898 Ended the fighting in the war Cuba got its independence Spain agreed that the US could annex Guam & Puerto Rico. The Big Question? What to do with the Philippines??