1. What does this cartoon tell us about the attitudes of Americans and American foreign policy at the end of the 19th century?

2. Spanish American War

3. Cuba Cuba was a Spanish colony in the midst of a war for independence
Only 90 miles South of Florida

4. Cuban Rebellion
1/3 of Cubans were slaves until 1886 when Spain abolished slavery
1868 rebels declared independence
Collapsed in 1878
No support
Jose Marti
Exiled leader who fled to New York City
Pulled together Cubans living in the U.S.
Launched new rebellion in 1895
Seized eastern Cuba
Republic of Cuba

5. Americans Support the Cubans
President Cleveland
Remained neutral
American public
Supported rebels
Some began smuggling guns from FL to the rebels
Why support?
American had become increasingly tied to Cuba economically
Received much sugar from Cuba

6. Yellow Journalism The New York Journal The New York World
William Randolph Hearst
Reported stories of Spanish feeding Cubans to sharks and dogs
Yellow Journalism: sensational and exaggerated, even made up, stories to attract readers
Joseph Pulitzer
“blood on the road, blood in the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood!”
Some stories were true; but most headlines were created to sell papers

9. Spain’s Control Valeriano Weyler General sent to serve as governor
Nicknamed “el carnicero” (the butcher)
“reconcentration camps”
Cuban civilians
Tens of thousands died

10. The U.S. Becomes Involved
Pres. McKinley
Hoping to avoid war; negociated with Spain September 1897
Weyler was removed
End reconcentration camps
Limited government
Must remain colony
Spanish loyalists
Outraged over power given to Cubans
McKinley sends in the USS Maine to protect Americans in Cuba

11. De Lome Letter Enrique Dupuy de Lome Ambassador de Lome resigned, but…
Spanish ambassador to the U.S.
The New York Journal ran his private letter insulting McKinley
“weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd”
Ambassador de Lome resigned, but…

12. USS Maine Explodes! USS Maine Explodes in Havana harbor; Feb. 15, 1898
266 American sailors die
Most point the finger at the Spanish
Congress unanimously approves $50 million for war preparations

13. Jingoism Aggressive nationalism Within the Republican party
“Remember the Maine!”
Theodore Roosevelt said that McKinley had “not more backbone than a chocolate éclair”

14. Finally War
April 11, 1898
McKinley asks Congress to authorize use of force in Cuba
Congress declares Cuba independent
Spain declares war on the U.S.

15. A War on Two Fronts Philippines Commodore George Dewey given command
Opens fire and destroys entire Spanish fleet
Filipinos also wanted freedom
Emilio Aguinaldo

16. Rough Riders Forces that landed in Cuba Rough Riders Volunteer cavalry
Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt
TR resigned as assistant to the sec. of the navy to fight
Mix of cowboys, miners, and law officers

17. San Juan Hill July 1, 1898 Americans attacked San Juan Heights
Series of hills overlooking the main road in Santiago
Rough Riders, who were on foot not horseback, seized Kettle Hill and then San Juan Hill

18. Spanish Response
Spanish commander in Santiago order the entire fleet to flee
American squadron blocked exit and attacked
Sank every Spanish vessel
August, 12, 1898
Cease fire agreement between Spain and the United States
The entire war only lasted April to August