America Becomes a Colonial Power

Why are we interested in Cuba?

The Imperialist Tailor

1. Spanish treatment of Cubans Cubans treated very poorly. Many enslaved until 1886.

“Reconcentration” Camps after Cuban Rebellion To prevent Cuban villagers from helping rebels, villagers sent to camps.

2. Yellow Journalism & Jingoism Yellow Journalism: Exaggerated stories to sell newspapers Jingoism: Aggressive nationalism

“Yellow Journalism” & Jingoism William Randolph Hearst Joseph Pulitzer Hearst: You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war! William Randolph Hearst

3. De Lôme Letter Dupuy de Lôme, Spanish Ambassador to the U.S. Letter Criticized President McKinley as weak

4. Protect American investments in Cuba $ 100 million in trade annually with Cuba in 1897 $40 million invested in sugar and agriculture in Cuba

Funeral for Maine victims in Havana 5. Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain! Exploded Feb. 15th, 1898 1. Cause of explosion unknown to this day 2. Spanish were blamed at the time. Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

The Spanish-American War (1898): “That Splendid Little War” War lasted 4 months Apr. – Aug. 1898 385 battle deaths 2,061 died from food poisoning and disease 1st time in 50 years the U.S was at war with another country

The “Rough Riders” Troops who fight for Cuba

Another Spanish Colony & the 2nd Front! Philippines Another Spanish Colony & the 2nd Front!

The Spanish-American War (1898): “That Splendid Little War” Commodore Dewey is ordered to attack the Spanish fleet based in the Philippines (Spanish colony). The U.S. is trying to prevent the fleet from sailing east and attacking the U.S.

Dewey Captures Manila! Dewey’s squadron enters Manila Bay after midnight on May 1st, 1898. Four American ships opened fired and rapidly destroys all eight of the Spanish warships.

Is He To Be a Despot(tyrant/oppressor)? The Debate over the Philippines ???? Do we have the right to keep the Philippines? Or should we give them their independence? ( Annexing would provide the U.S. with another Pacific naval base and provide a large market for American goods but it violates American principles and might drive down American wages due to cheap Filipino labor)

The American Anti-Imperialist League Campaigned against the annexation of the Philippines and other acts of imperialism. Said Imperialism went against American Democracy

Emilio Aguinaldo July 4, 1946: Philippine independence Leader of the Filipino Uprising. July 4, 1946: Philippine independence

Another Spanish Colony & the 2nd Front! Ending the War Another Spanish Colony & the 2nd Front!

The Treaty of Paris: 1898 Cuba was freed. U.S. gets Puerto Rico and Guam. The U. S. paid Spain $20 mil. for the Philippines. The U. S. becomes an imperial power!

Cuban Independence? Teller Amendment (1898) – Cuban would be given independence after war Platt Amendment (1903) Cuba was not to enter into any agreements with foreign powers that would endanger its independence. The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary to maintain an efficient, independent govt. Cuba must lease Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. for naval and coaling station. Cuba must not build up an excessive public debt. Senator Orville Platt

William H. Taft, 1st Gov.-General of the Philippines Created healthcare, transportation, and education system

Our “Sphere of Influence”