The Spanish-American War What lead to the US going to war with Spain? http://historicalthinkingmatters.org/spanishamericanwar/

Notes: Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War marked the US emergence as world power Reasons for US entry into War American Business Interests in Cuba Use of Yellow Journalism to gain public support Explosion of the USS Maine Humanitarian Concerns Over Cubans treatment Desire for Naval Bases

Spanish Misrule in Cuba

Valeriano Weyler’s “Reconcentration” Policy

Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine, Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898

Document Questions When were the documents written? How long after the event? According to NY Journal, what happened to the USS Maine? What evidence does the source use to base its claims? According to the NY Times, what happened to the USS Maine? What evidence does the source use to base its claims?

Question Which account is more believable? Why?

Spanish-American War Congress declared war on Spain in April 1898 At declaration of war: US Commodore George Dewey set sail for Philippines and seized control of island In Cuba: T. Roosevelt led the Rough riders helped US victory which was achieved in less than 3 months Gained Cuba and Philippines Referred to as the “splendid little war” http://www.history.com/videos/roosevelt-fights-in-spanish-american-war#roosevelt-fights-in-spanish-american-war

The Spanish-American War (1898): “That Splendid Little War” How prepared was the US for war?

Treaty of Paris (1898) Treaty officially ended war with Spain Attached to war resolution: Teller Amendment: US promised to allow Cuban independence (not annex) To protect US business, Pres. McKinley installed US military gov. in Cuba for 3 years

Creation of Cuban constitution, US added Platt Amendment: limited Cuban gov. (remained until 1930s) Gave US two naval bases in Cuba Allowed for US intervention in region US also gained territories of Puerto Rico and Guam

War in Philippines Philippines were a colony of Spain As Commodore Dewey set sail for Philippines, US troops also seized island of Guam along the way Dewey contacted Filipino revolutionaries to launch another guerilla war US helps Filipinos gain independence from Spain

Continued.. The rebels believed US was there to help but after the peace treaty, US troops captured capital of Manila and refused to recognize the rebel government

The American Anti-Imperialist League Founded in 1899. Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, William James, and William Jennings Bryan among the leaders. Campaigned against the annexation of the Philippines and other acts of imperialism.

Life, 1899 “First Filipino: What’s the matter? Second Filipino: Been takin’ another of those blamed lessons in the progress of civilization.”

Judge, 1899 Words on bayonet: “Liberty and Civilization” “He wouldn’t take it any other way”

The World, 1898

Results The war treaty recognized US ownership of Philippines Wake Island Guam Puerto Rico And US control of Cuba

Results of the Spanish-American War Spain lost last colonies... removed from Western Hemisphere U.S. acquired colonies Tradition of Isolationism is Broken U.S. recognized as a world power U.S. ends up spending more money & lives putting down Filipino Insurrection Sets precedent for intervention & use of force in Latin American affairs Opened markets in Cuba and elsewhere