Spanish-American War Essential Question: What are the causes and effects of the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars?

Background of Cuba Cuba is one of Spain’s last colonies in the western hemisphere Cubans want independence and begin to revolt Leaders are exiled and some come to the U.S.

General Weyler’s Cuban Policy Use concentration camps to control the population As a result, Americans become sympathetic for Cuban cause

William Randolph Hearst “Yellow Journalism” “You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war!” Joseph Pulitzer Newspaper war begins Journalism that is based upon sensationalism and crude exaggeration William Randolph Hearst

De Lôme Letter Dupuy de Lôme, Spanish Ambassador to the U.S. Criticized President McKinley as weak Insult to national pride Leads to increasing tension between Spain and U.S.

U.S.S. Maine It was there to protect Americans and their investments In 1898 the battleship exploded in Havana, Cuba 266 Americans died & the ship sunk

Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain! Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

The Spanish-American War (1898): Hardships at first But then quick victory – “that splendid little war” Buffalo soldiers and Rough Riders play a large role Rough Riders was the name given to a volunteer cavalry Organized by Teddy R. The “Rough Riders”

U.S. Admiral Dewey Captures Manila! The Philippines was another colony of Spain’s Americans teamed up with Filipinos to defeat the Spanish in the Philippines

The Treaty of Paris:1898 Cuba was freed from Spanish rule Spain gave up Puerto Rico and the island of Guam to the U.S The U. S. paid Spain $20 mil. for the Philippines

Cuban Independence? Platt Amendment (1903) Cuba was not to enter into any agreements with foreign powers that would endanger its independence The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary to maintain an efficient, independent gov’t Cuba must lease Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. for a naval station Cuba must not build up an excessive public debt Senator Orville Platt

The Philippine-American War

Resistance Begins Despite U.S. promises to Filipinos during the Spanish-American War, the island nation is not granted independence Philippine resistance against U.S. begins General MacArthur adopts same methods of control as Spain (concentration camps)

Emilio Aguinaldo Leader of the Filipino uprising U.S. supported his independence movement against Spain When he declared the Philippines an independent republic after the Spanish-American War, the U.S. called him an outlaw

Aftermath of the War U.S. appointed a governor, who would appoint the upper house of the legislature Filipinos would select lower house U.S. helps the Philippines w/ internal improvements, education & gov’t The Philippines did not become an independent country until July 4th, 1946