Spanish American War

The Cuban Rebellion Cuba colony of Spain Sugar cane in Cuba made Spain very wealthy Produced 1/3 of world’s sugar cane 1868 Cuban rebels declared independence and launched guerilla war against Spanish authorities Guerilla Warfare: surprise, hit & run attacks

Cuban Rebellion con’t Cuban Rebellion failed Many leaders fled to US Jose Marti brought together Cuban exiles living in the US Raised funds, purchased weapons, and trained troops to launch 2nd invasion New rebellion began in February 1895 September 1895 rebels seized control of eastern Cuba, declared independence and established the Republic of Cuba

America Supports Cuba 1) Compared Cuban’s struggle to American Revolution 2) Yellow Journalism – sensationalist reports where writers often exaggerated or made up stories to attract readers Dramatic stories of Spanish atrocities were published in New York Journal (Hearst) and New York World (Pulitzer) Newspapers tried to compete with one another Only got info from Cuban side (biased)

America Supports Cubans con’t 3) General Weyler appointed as governor of Cuba (Feb. 10, 1896) His harsh policies earned him the nickname ‘The Butcher’ He forced Cuban villagers into ‘reconcentration camps’ to keep them from aiding rebels 1/3 in the camps died of starvation and disease 4) deLome letter (Feb. 8) – intercepted a letter from Spain’s ambassador to the US that ridiculed President McKinley for being weak’ Americans outraged at the insult

Explosion of the Maine Feb. 15, 1898 USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor Still unsure if spontaneous combustion of coal bunker or a mine Americans believed it was an act of sabotage and demanded we go to war April 19 Congress declared Cuba an independent nation, demanded Spain withdraw, and authorized the President to use force April 24 Spain declared war on the US

A War on Two Fronts: Philippines Philippines was a Spanish colony Commodore Dewey ordered to attack Spanish squadron in the Philippines so it could not travel east and attack the US Battle of Manila Bay – May 1, 1898 – Dewey and his 4 ships opened fire on 8 Spanish warships Quick victory surprised US officials American ground troops not yet there to help While waiting on American troops Dewey contacted Filipino revolution leader Emilio Aguinaldo for help Aguinaldo took most of Filipino islands while US took the Philippine capital of Manila Philippines surrendered August 14, 1898

A War on Two Fronts: Cuba Americans not prepared for war Lacked resources to train and equip troops Most died in training camps due to unsanitary conditions causing disease/epidemics Rough Riders – mix of cowboys, miners, and law officers who were volunteer fighters Second in command – Teddy Roosevelt Buffalo Soldiers – all black Cavalry Regiments – ¼ of American troops in Cuba were African American

Cuba con’t July 1, 1898 American troops attacked El Caney, San Juan Heights, Rough Riders take Ketttle Hill & San Juan Hill Spanish commander in Santiago harbor panicked and ordered fleet out of harbor on July 3rd American warships attacked Spanish fleet as they were trying to leave 2 weeks later the Spanish troops in Santiago surrendered and American troops soon occupied Spanish colony of Puerto Rico August 12 – Spain agreed to ceasefire

American Empire Debate over what Americans should do over newly acquired land Teller Amendment – said once Cuba was free the US would leave and it would get independence US annexed Guam and Puerto Rico

American Empire: What to do with the Philippines? For annexation: Military: Pacific Naval base Ideology: Teach less civilized people American values (education, Christianity) Economic: Trade stop on way to China, and large market Against annexation: Competition from cheap Filipino labor would drive down US wages Believed imperialism violated American principles

Treaty of Paris December 10, 1898 – Cuba would become independent nation US acquires Puerto Rico and Guam US pay 20 million for Philippines

Cuba and the Platt Amendment US made Cuba a protectorate: country that’s partly controlled by a stronger one President McKinley wanted to make sure Cuba was tied to the US Cuba created own constitution with attached conditions Platt Amendment: 1) Cuba could not make treaty with any other nation that would weaken its independence 2) Cuba had to allow the US to buy or lease naval stations in Cuba 3) Cuba had to keep debts low to prevent foreign countries from enforcing payments 4) US had the right to intervene to protect Cuban independence and keep order

Governing Puerto Rico Foraker Act (1900) – established civil government for the island Not US citizens so no constitutional rights Congress gradually allowed Puerto Ricans gradual self-government 1917 – granted Puerto Ricans American citizenship 1947 – Puerto Ricans allowed to elect their own governor Continued debate over whether Puerto Rico should be a state, gain independence, or continue as commonwealth

Rebellion in Philippines Filipinos furious over annexation Fought for Independence only to trade it for US control Aguinaldo called his troops to attack American soldiers lasting 3 years 4,300 American troops died 50,000 – 200,000 Filipino deaths Bad: developed reconcentration camps for Filipinos to separate civilians from rebels but thousands died from disease and starvations Good: Tried to win Filipinos over by improving transportation, education and healthcare Aguinaldo captured in March of 1901 He told guerillas to surrender July 4, 1902 US declared the war over US started giving Philippines more freedom 1946 – granted independence to Philippines