Pump-Up What role do you believe journalist will play in the Spanish-American War?

Spanish-American War

Today’s Vocabulary Yellow Journalism –Reporting in which writers often exaggerated and even made up stories to attract readers. Jingoism –Aggressive nationalism. Roosevelt Corollary –Strengthened the Monroe Doctrine. The U.S. would use force to keep foreign nations out of the Western Hemisphere.

Problems in Cuba Spain controlled Cuba. –Cubans revolted. Spain forced thousands of Cubans into camps.

Yellow Journalism –“You provide the pictures and I’ll provide the war.” New York Journal published by William Randolph Hearst. –“The Spanish fed Cuban prisoners to the sharks and dogs.” New York World published by Joseph Pulitzer. –“Blood on the roadsides, blood in the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood!”

Declaring War The de Lôme letter ridiculed McKinley for being “weak”. USS Maine “mysteriously” blew up, killing 266 sailors. –“REMEMBER THE MAINE” –Jingoism Congress declared war on April 25, 1898.

U.S. Investment in Cuba

War in the Philippines Battle of Manila Bay –2 hour battle between iron vs wooden warships. –Americans didn’t loose a single life vs 400 Spanish causalities. –Americans also seized the island of Guam. Kipling writes the “White Man’s Burden” to support the Spanish-American War.

War in Cuba Teller Amendment –U.S. would leave Cuba alone after the war. U.S. wasn’t prepared for fighting in Cuba: –Wool uniforms –Used fighting style from Civil War. –No proper supplies. Rough Riders & Buffalo Soldiers –College athletes, cowboys, ranchers, and miners.  Battles of Kettle and San Juan Hills.

U.S. Deaths in the Spanish-American War

Consequences of War Treaty of Paris (1898) –U.S. gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. “Splendid little war.” –4 months The U.S. becomes an imperialist nation.

Arguments for Annexation of the Philippines Believed that the U.S. had a duty to spread its values overseas. –Anglo-Saxon Superiority/The White Man’s Burden. Philippines had economic and military value.

Opposition to Annexation Anti-Imperialist League –Violate the ideal of self- government. –African Americans believed that there were enough problems at home. –Would open the doors to a flood of new immigrants.

Annexation Arguments For –“The taking of the Philippines does not violate the principles of the Declaration of Independence, but will spread them among a people who have never known liberty and who in a few years will be unwilling to leave the shelter of the American flag.” Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Against –“I claim that under the Declaration of Independence you cannot govern a foreign people against their will b/c you think it is for their good, when they do not. You have no right at the cannon’s mouth to impose on an unwilling people your notions of freedom and notions of what is good.” Senator George F. Hoar

American Rule in the Philippines Annexed the Philippines in –Filipino nationalists were infuriated. The U.S. goal was to prepare the Philippines for independence. –William Howard Taft was made governor. Fighting broke out for 3 years. In 1946 the U.S. finally granted the Philippines full independence.

U.S. Controls Cuba Platt Amendment –Cuba could not make treaties with other nations. –Had to allow the U.S. to lease a naval station in Cuba. Guantánamo Bay –Cuban debts had to remain low. –U.S. had the right to intervene to protect Cuban independence and keep order.

Panama Canal Roosevelt supported revolt from Colombian rule. Harsh building conditions. –5,000 die from disease or accidents. Canal cut off 8,000 miles.

Roosevelt Corollary Goal was to prevent European powers from using the debt problems of Latin America to justify intervening in the Western Hemisphere. “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

Dollar Diplomacy William Howard Taft placed less emphasis on the military and more on helping Latin American industry. –“Substitute dollars for bullets.”

Classwork Today you will read an article to find out more information on Yellow Journalism and answer questions. Then you will pretend that you are a reporter working for a Yellow Journalism style newspaper and write a one page article explaining the cruel Spanish treatment of the Cubans and urge Americans to help the Cubans out in their quest for independence.

Reflection Explain the significance of the Spanish- American War.