1. Aim: Why did the U.S. get involved in the Spanish-American War? Do Now: Please brainstorm a list of reasons for U.S. involvement in wars throughout our country’s history. Try to come up with at least 5 reasons why our country has entered wars.

2. Cuba has been strategically important to the United States due to its close proximity to our mainland.

3. Spanish-American War  In 1898 A revolution began in the Spanish Colony of Cuba  In response to the rebellion, and to show support for the rebels, the Americans sent the warship USS Maine into Havana harbor.

4. Before…

5. During…

6. After…

7. But WHY get involved???  Did the U.S. sympathize with the Cubans’ desire for freedom? Perhaps some did. But what was the main reason for our involvement?  We had $50 million invested in Cuba in sugar cane and rice fields. WE DIDN’T WANT TO LOSE OUR $$$WE DIDN’T WANT TO LOSE OUR $$$

8. Immediate Cause 1: The Sinking of the Maine  After the Maine was destroyed in Havana Harbor, the U.S. media immediately went to work blaming the destruction on the Spanish, despite the lack of evidence.  As of today, historians believe that the ammo room inside the ship caught fire and the resulting explosion destroyed the ship.  This may have been caused by something as innocent as a dropped cigarette.

9. Immediate Cause 2: Yellow Journalism  When the U.S.S. Maine was destroyed, the New York Herald ran a story with the headline: "The War Ship Maine was Split in Two by an Enemy's Secret Infernal Machine.”  The story detailed how the Spanish had planted a torpedo underneath the Maine and detonated it from shore.  Captain Sigsbee originally made an official report stating that it was impossible to tell what caused the explosion that sunk the ship, however he changed his story after reading the account of the event in the Herald.

12.  The end result of these stories was a declaration of war against Spain by the United States.

13. "The war of the United States with Spain was very brief. Its results were many, startling, and of world-wide meaning." --Henry Cabot Lodge  The war lasted only four months, From April through August of 1898 and was a clear victory for the U.S.  The U.S. gained control of several territories, including Cuba.

14. Let’s Wrap It Up…  Should the U.S. have entered the Spanish-American War? Why or why not?

15. The U.S. and Cuban Independence  As soon as President Roosevelt took office in 1901, he began working to grant independence to Cuba and its people.  This did not come without a price…  In order to be free from U.S. control the Cuban government would be forced to insert an amendment into their constitution…

16. The Platt Amendment  This small amendment into the Cuban constitution allowed the U.S. to maintain control over Cuba despite it’s “independence.”  The amendment allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs: it allowed us to supervise all financial decisions as well as foreign affairs.  It also gave us a new naval base…

17. Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

18.  Cuba became a hot vacation destination.  Casinos opened for business and famously, Frank Sinatra came to Havana to play a show.