Chapter 6, Lesson 1 Expanding Overseas Mr. Julian’s 5th Grade Class

What were the causes and events of the Spanish-American War? Gotta Know What were the causes and events of the Spanish-American War?

Places Hawaii Puerto Rico Cuba Panama Canal

People William Seward Lilliuokalani - Lilly Theodore Roosevelt Walter Reed John Stevens

Vocabulary Yellow journalism Spanish-American War Rough Riders Buffalo Soldiers Isthmus

Alaska Russia wanted to sell Alaska for $0.02 per acre. They were afraid they would lose the land, so they decided to sell it. William Seward wanted to see the U.S. grow. Due to the Civil War, Seward had to wait on Alaska.

Alaska On March 30, 1867, the U.S. would buy Alaska for $7.2 million in gold. The U.S. Senate approved the sale in April 1867, and the House the following year. Most Americans thought it was a foolish purchase. Gold was soon discovered in Alaska, and the purchase soon seemed like a good idea.

Hawaii Hawaii is a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. As people from Europe discovered Hawaii, they brought many tools, animals, crops,and ideas with them. The first King of Hawaii welcomed these changes.

Hawaii Lilluokalani, “Lilly” became the first queen in 1891. She felt that Hawaii should be for Hawaiians. Most of the foreigners were not willing to leave their profitable business. These business owners revolted against the queen forcing her to give up her power. In July 1898, Hawaii became annexed to the U.S.

Causes of the Spanish-American War Spain’s empire had been reduced to just 2 islands, Puerto Rico and Cuba in the Western Hemisphere. Cuba revolted against the Spanish rule. The Cuban people lost the fight but there were many American business in Cuba as well.

Causes of the Spanish-American War In January 1898, the U.S. sent the battleship U.S.S. Maine to protect the U.S. interests. On February 15, 1898 the U.S.S. Maine exploded. Newspapers reported that the Spanish caused the explosion. Reporting false facts is called yellow journalism.

Causes of the Spanish-American War With newspapers reporting that Spain’s responsibility in the Maine’s explosion, the American people called for action. “Remember the Maine” could be heard throughout the land. Congress declared war with Spain on April 25, 1898, beginning the Spanish-American War.

War with Spain Spain had other colonies that the U.S. was interested in. The U.S. first attacked the Spanish fleet in the Philippines, destroying it completely. American’s from all over prepared for war. Theodore Roosevelt, the assistant secretary of the navy, resigned his job to fight in the war.

War with Spain Roosevelt put together a group of cowboys, Native Americans, college athletes, and rich young men. He called his soldiers “Rough Riders.” Another group called for service were the Buffalo Soldiers, or African American soldiers. The American's fought the Spanish in Cuba’s tropical forest and hills.

War with Spain The Spanish were defeated at the Battle of San Juan Hill. Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders were given credit for the victory but they actually did not fight in the actual battle. The war ended in August 1898. http://www.smplanet.com/imperialism/splendid.html

Results of War The U.S. gained control of Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam as a result of the victory. Cuba earned its independence and was protected by the U.S. for a few years. The Philippines gained its independence in 1946. Puerto Rico and Guam remain U.S. territories.

Results of War The U.S. showed that it had become a world power. Teddy Roosevelt became very popular back home. He was soon elected governor of New York and later became President of the United States.

Panama Canal After the war Teddy Roosevelt felt that a big reason for the U.S. victory was its strong navy. Roosevelt wanted to link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to protect U.S. interests. It has been decided that a canal should be built across the isthmus of Panama.

Panama Canal Before any action could be taken the U.S. had to control the land. Panama belonged to Colombia and they refused to give it up. The U.S. helped the Panamanian people fight a revolutionary war to gain their independence from Colombia.

Panama Canal Although the war was successful, Teddy Roosevelt paid $10 million to the rebels of Panama for the rights to build the canal. These rebels did not represent the Panamanian government, an issue President Carter would have to deal with in the 1970’s.

Panama Canal The second problem in building the canal was disease. A doctor named Walter Reed discovered that mosquitoes carried many of the diseases. Crews drained the water where mosquitoes laid their eggs.

Panama Canal The last problem was the terrain of Panama. John Stevens was hired as the project chief. He made many improvements for the people of Panama. On August 15, 1914 the Panama Canal opened for shipping.

Panama Today The U.S. protected Panama and the canal for many years. In 1964 the people in Panama wanted control of their own land. They realized that the deal Teddy Roosevelt was not legal. In the late 1970’s some people threatened to destroy the canal if Panama did not gain control of there own land. In 1977 President Carter signed an agreement giving the Panama Canal back to it’s people in 2000.

Timeline 1867 - The U.S. buys Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million July 1898 - Hawaii was annexed by the U.S. August 1898 - Spanish-American War ended with a U.S. victory. 1914 - Panama Canal opened.