Spanish-American War “A Splendid little war”
1895 – Cubans revolt against Spanish rule in Cuba Causes of the War: 1895 – Cubans revolt against Spanish rule in Cuba U.S. government (wanting to stabilize Cuba) negotiates an agreement with Spain by which Cuba would become self governing on Jan. 1, 1898.
USS Maine President McKinley sent the USS Maine to Havana (Cuba’s capital) to protect U.S. interests/citizens. On February 15, an explosion sank the Maine, killing 266 men on board. Controversy surrounded the Maine’s explosion and many assumed the Spanish were responsible
Teller Amendment On April 19, Congress passed The Teller Amendment: Law passed by Congress that stipulated that the U.S. had no intention of annexing Cuba…Spain immediately declares war on the U.S. and then the U.S. declares war on Spain on April 25
Yellow Journalism: 2 major newspaper owners: Joseph Pulitzer – Owner of the New York World William Randolph Hearst – Owner of the New York Journal They viewed public interest in the war as an opportunity to sell newspapers. Yellow Journalism – The exaggeration of a news story in order to sell newspapers
Media Coverage: Thanks to changing technology, photographs being published, U.S. Newspapers were able to cover the war very closely and relay that information to the public. Newspapers even sent reporters to Cuba to provide first hand reporting
The first hostilities took place in… The War: Although Cuba played a key role in the start of the war, battles between the U.S. and Spain took place around the world. The first hostilities took place in…
Philippines May,1, 1898, - Battle of Manila Bay Admiral Dewey sunk Spanish fleet. In only seven hours, the entire Spanish Asian fleet was sunk. U.S. suffers no deaths (Spain had nearly 400 sailors die).
Fighting in Cuba… American soldiers were depleted as a result of the Civil War 30 years prior. President McKinley asked for volunteers to help fight. Over 1,200 volunteers (mostly from the SW), led by Theodore Roosevelt became known as -The Rough Riders. The Rough Riders were instrumental in defeating the Spanish at San Juan Hill .
Fighting in Puerto Rico… U.S. troops faced little opposition in Puerto Rico. By Aug. 2, Spain and the U.S. began negotiating an end to the war Almost 3,000 Americans died (but only 380 in combat)
End to the War… Treaty of Paris – ended the Spanish-American War. Spain gave up Guam, Puerto Rico, its possessions in the West Indies, and the Philippines for $20 million. The U.S. occupied Cuba but did not try to annex it (Teller Amendment)
Platt Amendment Law that limited Cuba’s right to make treaties and allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs Also established the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay
Aftermath… Transformed the U.S. into an imperial power Theodore Roosevelt would become a recognized hero and instantly become credible as a political candidate. ( He was elected governor of New York 3 months after the war and Vice President in 1901.
Spanish-American War Timeline: Cuba declares their independence from Spain A letter reported by William Hearst’s The Journal claims a Spanish Ambassador calls President McKinley weak and stupid The USS Main Explodes The Teller Amendment is passed Spain declares war on the U.S. Commodore George Dewey battles Spain in Manila Bay, Philippines The Rough Riders are assembled The Treaty of Paris is signed Congress passes the Platt Amendment William Taft becomes Governor of the Philippines