US History Chapter 7 Section 2 The Spanish-American War 1898
Main Idea A quick victory in the Spanish-American War gave the United States a new role as a world power “ A Splendid Little War”
Reading Focus How did simmering unrest in Cuba lead to a rebellion? Why did America get war fever? What happened in the course of the Spanish-American War? Why was annexing the Philippines controversial?
Uprising in Cuba 1860s: Nationalists in Cuba began fighting for independence from Spain Inspired by rebel Jose Marti who inspired the fight for independence (Founded Cuban Revolutionary Party) 1895: Marti returns to Cuba but was killed by Spanish Soldiers Sought independence from Spain Colonized Cuba Sparks Fight for independence
America Gets War Fever 1896: US empathizes with Cuban fight for independence from Spain (Why did Americans empathize?) The Powerful Media: Two most widely read newspapers were from New York- > NY Journal (William Hearst) Competing Newspapers > NY World (Joseph Pulitzer) used their own version of “Yellow Kid” to gain response Known as “Yellow Journalism” because of how they exposed the Cuban struggle for independence William Hearst sends journalist to Cuba to photograph horrible conditions Cubans were exposed to (propaganda to spark US intervention)
Explosion of the USS Maine February 9, 1898- NY Journal publishes letter written by Spain’s minister to US (Enrique de Lome) which poked fun of McKinley America outraged at de Lome letter which pressured congress for action against Spain Battleship (USS Maine) had been sent to Cuba to protect American lives and property Feb 15, 1898- USS Maine mysteriously blows up in Havana Harbor killing 260 Sailors > No proof what caused explosion > U.S. sent requests to Spain to grant Cuba independence April 25, 1898 Spanish-American War begins
USS Maine
Sinking of the USS Maine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JYFJU3ZJLM
Course of the War 4 Month War fought on two fronts War in the Philippines Assistant Sec. of Navy T. Roosevelt sent orders to Commodore George Dewey to attack Spanish Fleet in Philippines > May 1, 1898- American forces engage and destroy Spanish fleet in Manila Bay (400 Spanish KIA / 0 U.S. KIA) > U.S. partnered with Filipino Rebel Emilio Aguinaldo and surrounded Spanish forces on land forcing their surrender on August 14, 1898 “Thank you Filipino for helping us…let’s see what happens next”
War in Cuba “not as easy” Prior to US declaring war, Congress recognizes Cuba as an independent nation and adopts “Teller Amendment” > Once Cuba free, they will be governed by own people Cuban Battle more difficult due to several challenges- * Not properly uniformed * Not properly rationed ROUGH RIDERS * Many Soldiers were volunteers Rough Riders were seasoned group of cowboys, ranchers, miners, athletes primarily from southwest part of United States
Rough Riders
Battleground Cuba July 1, 1898- Most famous U.S. victories- Battle of San Juan Hills and Battle of Kettle Hill US- 8,000 Soldiers from 9th and 10th Cav Divisions (African-American) “Buffalo Soldiers” and the “Rough Riders” July 3, 1898- US navy sinks entire Spanish fleet off coast of Cuba in Battle of Santiago (two weeks later, Spanish troops in Cuba surrender) Aug 1898- US forces defeat Spanish forces in Puerto Rico
Rough Riders charge San Juan Hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCE0ocQhvkA
Spain’s Loss is U.S. Gain Spain’s Loss U.S. Gains Gets 20 million for Philippines Gives up claims to Cuba Loses control of Guam and Puerto Rico, Wake Island U.S. Gains Control of Philippines Puerto Rico, Wake Island and Guam (US Protectorate) War costs 250 Million 2K Soldiers died (mainly disease) Biggest Change After War: United States enters into the ranks of an Imperialist Nation
Acquiring New Lands The U.S had to decide how to rule the new lands Puerto Rico wanted their independence– but the U.S. had other plans Puerto Rico was important to the U.S. strategically The U.S. set up a civil government, full citizenship, and a bicameral system J-Lo hails from Puerto Rico
Today the U.S. has a prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba The Treaty of Paris granted full independence to Cuba The U.S signed an agreement with Cuba known as the Platt Amendment 1903 Lets U.S. maintain naval stations on the island and gave us right to intervene in Cuban affairs Cuba had become a “protectorate” of the U.S. Today the U.S. has a prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Annexing the Philippines Post-War- Growing debate over U.S. annexing the Philippine Islands Feb 6, 1899- U.S. annexes Philippines which angers Filipino nationalists (one ruler to another) 1899- Fighting between U.S. and Filipinos for next 3 years > 1901- Aguinaldo captured by US Forces > 220K Filipinos died > 4K US Soldiers died US appoints governor over Philippines with gradual Filipino entry into government July 4, 1946- US grants full independence to Philippine Islands Pro-Annexation Anti-Annexation US duty to spread values overseas Violates idea of self-government Duty to educate and Christianize Filipinos Spread of American racism to foreign land Obtain Philippine resources Spread of foreign emigrants to U.S. Keep control to avoid Japan owning them