Spanish American War & WWI Turn of the Century Wars Spanish American War & WWI

The Spanish American War Reasons for the Spanish American War Protection of American business interests in Cuba American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain Rising tensions as a result of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine Exaggerated news reports of events (Yellow Journalism)

Cuba fought for their independence from Spain

The U.S. was outraged after the explosion on the U.S.S. Maine

Journalist wrote exaggerated articles to sell more papers Journalist wrote exaggerated articles to sell more papers. This was known as yellow journalism.

The Spanish American War Results of the Spanish American War The United States emerged as a world power Cuba gained its independence from Spain The United States gained the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam

Puerto Rico Guam The Philippines

World War I Reasons for US involvement: Inability to remain neutral German submarine warfare—sinking of the Lusitania US economic and political ties to Great Britain

A German submarine sunk the Lusitania, outraging the United States.

Allies Great Britain Russia Serbia France Belgium

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey Central Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey

World War I The End of the War At the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson prepared a peace plan that called for the formation of the League of Nations, a peace-keeping organization. The US decided not to join the League of Nations.