1. Imperialism & World War I
American History II - Unit 3

2. Review What is imperialism?
Foreign policy in which stronger nations extend their economic, political, and/or military control over weaker territories
Basically, expanding a nation’s empire into foreign lands usually by political or military force.
What were 3 motives for American imperialism during the mid-late 1800s?
Competition for military strength, thirst for new markets, and belief in cultural superiority
For what reasons was Hawaii important to the US?
Trading pit stop b/t US and Asia, sugar plantations and market, and US naval base Pearl Harbor
Who was Queen Liliuokalani and what was her attitude on American annexation of Hawaii?
Queen of Hawaii, did not want to join US
Describe the different approaches POTUS Cleveland and POTUS McKinley took to Hawaiian annexation.
Cleveland – would only annex Hawaii if majority voted to do so
McKinley – 1898, Congress declared Hawaii a territory without consent

3. 3.2 – The Spanish - American War

4. Spanish Empire as of 1898
By late 1800s, Spain’s only remaining colonies were the Philippines, Guam, several outposts in Africa, Cuba and Puerto Rico

5. America and Cuba 90 miles south of Florida
Prime climate for sugar crops
1854 – failed US attempt to buy Cuba from Spain
1868 and 1878 – US supported Cuban rebellions against tyrannical Spanish rule
Cubans unsuccessful both times

6. Cuba’s 2nd War for Independence
1895 – José Marti (Cuban revolutionary) organized another Cuban rebellion against Spain
“Cuba Libre” – Free Cuba! slogan
Guerilla (ambush-style fighting) campaign on Spanish troops
Deliberate destruction of property
including American-owned sugar mills/plantations
Wanted to provoke US intervention and hopefully help free Cuba
American support for Cuba was split
Pro-intervention to protect American business and markets
Pro-intervention to support Cuban independence
Anti-intervention to stay out of international affairs and avoid conflict with Spain

7. Cuba’s 2nd War for Independence
1896 – Spain sent General Valeriana Weyler to Cuba to end rebellion
Herded the populations in central and western Cuba into concentration camps
~300,000 people, many died of starvation or disease

8. Causes of the Spanish-American War
3 major factors fueled war between America and Spain.
Yellow journalism
The De Lôme letter
The explosion of the USS Maine

9. Rise of Yellow Journalism
William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer used the events in Cuba to sell papers in the US
Rivalry  who could sell the most papers using the most sensational headlines
“Butch Weyler,” stories of poisoned wells, children being thrown to sharks
Reporters and illustrators sent to Cuba to photograph or draw the events
Yellow journalism – sensational style of writing which exaggerates news to lure and enrage readers
Heart’s and Pulitzer’s papers increased American sympathy for Cuban rebels
Some Americans began to want war with Spain
“You furnish the picture… and I’ll furnish the war.” - Hearst

11. The De Lôme Letter
1897 – McKinley took office, sought to resolve tensions with Spain through diplomacy (negotiations)
Some success - Spain recalled Weyler, decreased concentration camps, and offered Cuba limited self-government.
Feb 1898 – Hearst’s New York Journal published a private letter by the Spanish minister to the US  called McKinley “weak” and “a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.”
Spanish gov’t apologized, minister resigned, but Americans insulted.

12. Explosion of USS Maine
Early 1898 – McKinley sent the USS Maine to Cuba to bring home Americans in danger during the rebellion
Feb 15, 1898 – USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor  260 killed
Reason for explosion unknown
Hearst and Pulitzer capitalized on American outrage and blamed the explosion on Spain  Americans demanded war with Spain

13. Yellow Journalism Activity
With a partner, look at the cover of the New York Journal 2 days after the USS Maine exploded.
Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper (does not need to be complete sentences)
Define yellow journalism.
Give 3 specific ways for how this cover tried to attract readers.
Give 2 pieces of journalistic speculation (opinions, not facts).
Do you think the reporting accurately reflects what happened to the USS Maine? Why or why not?
Bonus: Does yellow journalism still exist today?
If not, why do believe so?
If yes, can you provide an example (you can use your phone…)?

14. War with Spain Erupts
Yellow journalism + de Lome letter + USS Maine explosion  war fever in US
“Remember the Maine!”
Spain agreed to various US demands (US intervention in Cuba, 6-month cease-fire) but the call for war grew
McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain  April 20, 1898 – US declaration of war on Spain

15. S-A War in the Philippines
April 1898 – US fleet sent to Philippines (Spanish colony)
Commodore George Dewey gave the command to fire on the Spanish fleet in Manila (Philippine capital)  destroyed every Spanish ship, American victory
Support from Filipinos, led by Emilio Aguinaldo (Filipino revolutionary)  August 1898 – Spanish troops in Manila surrendered to US

16. S-A War in the Caribbean
US victory in Philippines proved US naval strength  US naval blockade on Cuban coast
Trained US army was small and relied on larger volunteer force
125,000 volunteers
Inexperienced, ill-trained
Lacked supplies and weapons
Heavy wool uniforms (not good for tropical Cuba)

17. S-A War in the Caribbean
June 1898 – American army forces landed in Cuba.
4 black regiments – “Buffalo Soldiers” as they previously fought in various wars against Native Americans
Buffalo Soldier – Bob Marley
“I’m just a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America,
Stolen from Africa, brought to America,
Said he was fighting on arrival, fighting for survival,
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier win the war for America.
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier win the war for America,
Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival,
Driven from the mainland to the hear of the Caribbean.
Trodding through San Juan in the arms of America,
Trodding through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta.”

18. S-A War in the Caribbean
Rough Riders – volunteer cavalry unit under the command of Theodore Roosevelt and Leonard Wood
Roosevelt left his position of Assistant Secretary of the Navy to lead the volunteers

19. S-A War in the Caribbean
July Battle of San Juan Hill
Rough Riders and 2 black regiments (9th and 10th Cavalries) cleared the way won an uphill battle at Kettle Hill, near Santiago
Cleared the way for a successful infantry attack on San Juan Hill
Roosevelt’s Rough Riders played a small role in the victory, but US papers declared him a war hero
Several days later, US naval victory in Santiago’s harbor  destruction of Spanish fleet
July 25, 1898 – US invaded Puerto Rico

20. Treaty of Paris
August 12, 1898 – US and Spain agreed to an armistice - agreement to end fighting, a cease-fire
US Sec. of State – “a splendid little war” (15 weeks)
December 10, 1898 – US and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris
Cuba freed
US gained Guam and Puerto Rico
US paid $20 million for Philippines

21. Debate over Treaty of Paris
Imperialism debate… should the US annex the Philippines and Puerto Rico?
February 6, 1899 – Senate approved Treaty of Paris
US empire = Guam, Puerto Rico, and Philippines
PRO Annexation of gained territories
ANTI Annexation of gained territories
McKinley
White Man’s Burden
Christianization (even though most Filipinos had been Christians for centuries)
Violation of the Declaration of Independence by denying self government to newly acquired territories
Booker T. Washington – US should fix race relations at home before settling in new places
Unions feared Filipino immigrants would take jobs