Spanish-American War Today’s LEQ: How did the Spanish American war strengthen the U.S.’s influence around the world and make it a world power?

Trouble Brewing in Cuba The island of Cuba was founded as a Spanish colony by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and lies just 90 miles off the coast of Florida – Hundreds of thousands of slaves worked on its plantations – For over three centuries, Cuba was a part of Spain’s vast empire By the late 1800s, a growing independence movement was threatening Spanish rule in Cuba

Cubans Struggle for Independence In 1868, a revolutionary group made up of poor whites, free blacks, and slaves demanded independence from Spain Spain rejected these demands and bitter fighting followed Spain eventually crushes the revolt but tried to ease tension by giving limited reform – Cubans were given some representation in government – Slavery was abolished in 1886

Cuban Struggle Again for Independence In 1895, Cubans revolted again – Used guerrilla warfare, launching surprise attacks against Spanish forces Spanish forces forced tens of thousands of Cubans into reconcentration camps – Overcrowded, unsanitary prison camps with little food or shelter – Resulted in thousands of deaths from disease and starvation

Influence of the U.S. on Cuba American business leaders saw Cuba as a good place to trade and invest – With millions of dollars invested, they worried about Cuba’s political instability Many Americans sympathized with the rebellion, seeing it as a struggle for freedom, like the American Revolution – They called on the government to get involved and help the rebels

American Newspapers React Most Americans learned about the events in Cuba through newspapers and magazines In competition for readership, two New York newspapers wrote exaggerated stories about the Cuban rebellion – This yellow journalism sold a lot of papers but had other effects as well: – It whipped up American public opinion in favor of the Cuban rebels!

Competition Ensues!!! William Randolph Hearst New York Journal Joseph Pulitzer New York World

Sample Headline Cuban Babes Prey to Famine Thousands of Children Perishing in Island Towns Sights that Sicken Strong Men

The New York Journal reports "...blood on the roadsides, blood in the villages, blood, blood, blood!" When William Randolph Hearst sent a reporter to cover the rumored war, he cabled back that there was no war going on. Hearst wired back: “Please remain. You supply the pictures, and I'll supply the war.”

Americans Call for War with Spain In February 1898, two key events aroused American Anger and led to increasing calls for war

The De Lome Letter Incites the Public The Spanish ambassador to the U.S., Enrique Dupuy De Lome, wrote a letter to a friend in Cuba The letter insulted President McKinley – De Lome called McKinley “weak and catering to the rabble and, besides, a low politician.” The letter was stolen from the mail and was published in Hearst’s New York Journal Americans were outraged and insulted – anti-Spanish sentiments intensified De Lome – The Spanish Ambassador to the U.S.

The Sinking of the USS Maine To get the attention of the U.S. government, Cuban rebels burned plantations owned by U.S. businessmen The U.S. sent the USS Maine to Havana Harbor to protect American citizens and property On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded and sank – this was the last straw!

Newspapers Decry the Maine Incident An official navy investigation began immediately, but the Journal and other newspapers immediately blamed Spain Navy investigators concluded the explosion was caused by an underwater mine but never confirmed who was responsible

The United States Responds On April 11, 1898, President McKinley asks Congress to declare war The first attack was on May 1 st, 1898 in the Philippines – This was the largest remaining Spanish colony – Commodore George Dewey sank an entire Spanish fleet in Manila Bay

Fighting Moves to Cuba The U.S. Army in Cuba consisted of various forces – Among them were four regiments of African American soldiers – There were also volunteer regiments such as the First Volunteer Calvary led by Theodore Roosevelt (better known as the Rough Riders) Video Clip: The Battle of San Juan Hill

The U.S. Wins the War On July 4, the Spanish tried to leave Santiago Harbor but the entire fleet was sunk by the U.S. – This ended the war Nicknamed the “Splendid Little War” About 5,500 Americans died but only 400 died in battle!!! – Most died of yellow fever, malaria, food poisoning, and bad meds

A New Power on the World Stage The U.S. had won a major victory in its first overseas war and emerged as a new world power In the Treaty of Paris, the U.S. solidified its new position in world affairs – Independence was granted to Cuba – Spain ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S. The U.S. was now a colonial empire

The U.S. Stays in Cuba The U.S. originally agreed to the Teller Amendment (April 18, 1898) – Stated the U.S. could not annex Cuba but only leave "control of the island to its people." HOWEVER… By 1899, the Platt Amendment replaced the Teller Amendment – Gave the U.S. and open door to intervene in Cuban affairs – By 1934, the U.S. agreed to repeal the Platt Amendment but still has a naval base at Guantanamo Bay