Spanish – American War

Governor Valeriano Weyler This was the man that the Spanish had assigned to be in charge of controlling Cuba for Spain. Took harsh actions against the Cuban people, including forcibly removing them to camps, where thousands died under the policy of reconcentration. This harsh treatment was publicized in the American newspapers http://www.spanamwar.com/Weyler.htm

Jose Marti’ Poet that led Cuban exiles to the United States Urged our government to help rebels Later provoked U.S. intervention by deliberately destroying American- owned sugar mills and plantations http://josemarti.edu.mx/umla/assets/img/josemarti.jpg

American Business People Urged U.S. intervention to protect the considerable American business interests in Cuba $50 million invested in sugar and rice plantations, railroads, & iron mines in this part of the world Presidents Cleveland & McKinley both tried to avoid conflict here Sugar plantation

Yellow Journalism Who are the main characters in this cartoon? What does this political cartoon suggest? Encouraged the American public to sympathize with the Cuban rebels and to call for war “FEEDING PRISONERS TO THE SHARKS” Joseph Pulitzer William Randolph Hearst

Dupuy de Lôme

de Lôme Letter Angered the American public because of its criticism of President McKinley Increased anti- Spanish feeling

“Remember the Maine” Happened one week after the De Lôme Letter This tragic moment infuriated the American public and led to widespread support for war

What are your reasons for that decision? What would you do? If you were President of the United States during this moment in history, what would you do? What are your reasons for that decision? What is another possible solution to the problem?

Off to War President McKinley again favors a peaceful settlement He was afraid of what war might do to the economy Remember the depression of 1893? McKinley also remembered the horrors of the Civil War; he was the last of our presidents to serve in that war In the end McKinley has to ask for a declaration of war from Congress on April 11, 1898 Congress declares war nine days later

Philippines Teddy Roosevelt, who was Assistant Secretary of the Navy, ordered Commodore George Dewey and his fleet to the Philippines right after the Maine blew up On May 1st Dewey and the fleet sank all of the Spanish ships in the area without losing one American ship Emilio Aguinaldo was a rebel leader from the Philippines that helped America gain control of Manila, which is the capital city Aguinaldo later fought against America when he learned we had no intention of giving the Philippines independence We held the Philippines as a protectorate until 1946

Cuba Cuba was the next place fighting took place in this war, and most of the fighting was centered around Santiago Americans were not well prepared Teddy’s Rough Riders led the way on July 1st by charging San Juan Hill and helping to capture Santiago American ships did the rest by surrounding the area and forcing the Spanish to surrender Cuba does not gain independence as America replaces Spain and becomes a protectorate

Puerto Rico Went from Spanish to American rule America holds Puerto Rico to this day as a territory which could one day become a state America has helped to develop their economy and educational systems 1917 Puerto Ricans were given American citizenship Many still preferred to be independent

What is Manifest Destiny? Isolationists! This war was over by December 1898 A peace treaty was signed by America and Spain Two groups began to debate the fairness of this treaty Who were they? What were their main arguments? The argument would go on well into the 20th century, and some might say it still exists today Violates our own principles of the Declaration of Independence Brings the risk of future conflicts or even wars Expansionists! Gives the United States important military bases Allows for new business opportunities The U.S. has a duty to spread our democracy and religion to other parts of the world (Manifest Destiny)

End Results Most battles in this war were fought on land and sea, which showed off our new Naval power The U.S. gained Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, & Wake Island from the Spanish We gave Spain $20 million in return The United States gained military, political, and economic advantages that now made it a world player!