1. Spanish American War “A splendid little war” The best example of American imperialism at the turn of the century

2. Why did Spain & The US go to war over Cuba? O To “liberate” Cuba from the Spanish O Cubans revolted in 1895, demanding independence O Spain had installed military govt in Cuba O Rebels in Cuba were thrown into concentration camps

4. Why would U.S. want involvement with Cuba? O Was a very important source of sugar O Many investment opportunities for U.S.

5. Causes of War O Yellow Journalism O De Lome Letter O Sinking of U.S.S Maine O McKinley’s War Message

6. Yellow Journalism O American newspapers reporting exaggerated, sometimes false, stories about the events in Cuba O Publishers: Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst O Horrifying stories coming from Cuba about concentration camps O Purpose: persuade American’s public opinions in favor of the Cuban rebels, to interfere in Cuba

7. De Lome Letter O De Lome: Spanish Ambassador O Letter was stolen and published in US newspapers O Described McKinley as “weak” and a “low politician” O Caused commotion, and was used as the golden opportunity to intensify anti-Spanish feelings

8. Sinking of U.S.S Maine O U.S Ship on the coast of Havana, Cuba. O Feb 15 1898: an explosion sank the Maine, killing more than 250 American soldiers O America put the blame on Spain O “How long shall the United States sit idle and indifferent within sound and hearing of rapine & murder?” O Americans called for war

9. McKinley’s War Message O Set a list of demands to Spain O Compensation for Maine, an end to concentration camps, truce with Cuba, and Cuba independence O Spain agreed to all except the last.

10. “Splendid little war” begins O The war only lasted a few months

11. Rough Riders O Theodore Roosevelt led the “Rough Riders” O Group of volunteers that included cowboys, miners, policemen, and college students O July 1, 1898: Roosevelt led the Rough Riders in a charge up San Juan Hill. -most famous incident of the war

12. Treaty of Paris O With Spain in December 1898 O Spanish govt recognized Cuba’s independence. O In return for a $20 million payment, Spain gave up the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the United States. O The state’s were gained, but “not intended for statehood” O The war between imperialist and anti- imperialists begins.

13. Major turning point O The Spanish-American War & the Treaty of Paris in 1898 served as a MAJOR turning point in United States history. O U.S. began to have a global presence, as well as becoming a major world power.

14. Think About It… O Are we still a world power? O Do we still get involved in other nations for militaristic, political and economic reasons? O Ca you give Examples?