The Spanish - American War (1898) A Case of US Imperialism or a Necessary War?

The Following are Causes of the Spanish-American War

Yellow Journalism Yellow journalism is the deliberate use of bold or exaggerating statements in the media done in order to increase sales. For example, should Persell’s social studies exam scores drop, a headline in the Post Journal might say, “Kresge is Worst Educator on Planet.” Two newspaper owners, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, were competing in NYC to sell papers and often exaggerated the truth to create more sensational stories

Cause #1 William Randolph Hearst Joseph Pulitzer

Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine Cuba was seeking freedom for Spain, who was weakening US citizens support a free Cuba, who we then would trade with The US trains some Cuban militia men, who promptly get killed or captured by Spanish US sends a battleship, the Maine, to Havana Harbor to keep an eye on things The Maine explodes killing 260 US troops US papers blame Spain without proof of why it exploded

Cause #2 U.S.S. Maine Explosion - How is this image an example of Yellow Journalism?

Cause #3 Read the unproven headlines! How would Americans react?

Spanish-American War (1898) Imperialism or Necessary?

First Stage - Conquer Philippines? Commodore Dewey attacks Philippines one week after US declares war over Cuba Philippines belonged to Spain Spain -381 killed US - 0

Why Philippines? Gave US possible ports and naval bases

US not ready at first, But Spain was so weak we did not have to be Had only 28,000 troops, need 280,000 Issued wool uniforms for tropics Most died from diseases (malaria, yellow fever), not battle

Rough Riders - Theodore Roosevelt’s Volunteer Group Very Popular in US due to newspaper articles written about them. TR had the reporters follow the Rough Riders to ensure good press. People debate how much TR and the Rough Riders actually did. Many historians feel TR only fought when assured of victory. Helped TR get elected as VP after the war

Most Famous Battle - Rough Riders take San Juan Hill 7,000 US troops attack 600 Spanish Well covered by press

Was the war Imperialism or Necessary? Imperialism without a doubt

What Does the US do with new Lands after the War? Cuba Philippines Puerto Rico

Cuba We promised before war we wouldn’t keep it - we lied. Platt Amendment - Allows US to intervene in Cuban affairs whenever we see necessary.

“This was like handing over the keys to our house so that the Americans can enter it at any time, whenever the desire seizes them, day or night, whether with good or evil design.”

Puerto Rico Becomes a US territory (didn’t fight like Filipinos did) Becomes a US commonwealth - citizenship, own constitution, sends non-voting Reps to Congress

Philippines US intends to keep it, Filipinos revolt 70,000 US troops fight 3 years there Hundreds of thousands Filipinos die US sets up govt. with some local control Philippines become independent

Debate for Tomorrow’s Class As a Congressperson, debate the foreign policy question of whether the U.S. should side with imperialism or isolationism. One to three minute statement. One question to ask your opposition. One response to your oppositions question. Use creative and thoughtful means to support your point of view. Speak clearly and porfessionally.