“The Splendid Little War” The Spanish American War May - December 1898 Chapter 10, Section 2
Causes 1.The Cubans rebel against their Spanish colonial masters 2.Jingoism
Displays of Power Vs. Chilean Government Vs. Brazilian Rebels Vs. Great Britain All of these actions reaffirmed the Monroe Doctrine
The Cuban Rebellion Cuban peasants vs. The Spanish Empire “Re-concentration Camps” – 200k Cubans Dead US didn’t get involved until Rebels destroyed our sugar plantations
Jingoism “We’ve got the men and guns…” Many Americans are pro-war (many aren’t) Yellow journalism whips up anti-Spanish Sentiments
Yellow Journalism and the Spanish American War.
The De Lome Letter Called McKinley weak Angers the American Public
Explosion of the USS Maine Stationed in Havana Cuba Probably a coal fire or ammunition explosion Killed 250 Americans
The Last Straws… Roosevelt tells the US Navy to prepare for war (with out permission) McKinley demands a truce, and Cuban independence. Spain refuses and WAR BEGINS!!
Naval Actions Simultaneous attacks on Spanish ships in Cuba and the Philippines. The Spanish Pacific fleet is wiped out in less than 7 hours. The Gulf of Mexico Fleet will be wiped out on July 3 rd.
Land Actions
San Juan Hill Only part of a much larger battle Made Teddy Roosevelt even more famous
Casualties 2500 Americans die, only 16% are battlefield casualties. MOST DIE FROM DISEASE.
Treaty of Paris, 1898 The US gets… –Guam (unincorporated territory) –The Philippines (unincorporated territory) –Puerto Rico (unincorporated territory) Spain gets… –$20 Million
Cuba gets… INDEPENDENCE! (after the Platt Amendment)
Our new colonies… The Philippines (who had aided us vs. the Spanish) wanted independence. –Over 200k Filipinos died fighting the US Puerto Rico was given gradual self control
Hawaii Forced Annexation in 1898 Used for A Naval Base Wanted access to their sugar cane
American Samoa Pago Pago harbor was used as a refueling station Set up Midway Island as a refueling station
China “Spheres of Influence” Open Door Policy (gives us access to China’s millions of consumers)