1. Chapter 10 Section 2 Notes
Spanish-American War

2. Where is the war fought? Mainly in 2 Spanish Colonies a. Cuba
b. The Phillipines

3. Origins of the Conflict
U.S. wanted to buy Cuba from Spain in mid 1800’s
Spain says no
Cuban people have unsuccessful revolution
Unhappy with Spanish rule, want independence
Spain eliminates slavery in Cuba in mid 1880s
American businesses go there to set up businesses
Especially sugar cane and tobacco plantations

4. Cuba’s 2nd attempt at Revolution
Led by Jose Marti
Rebels destroyed Spanish and U.S. property
Tried to drag U.S. into conflict
Didn’t work right away. Quickly defeated by Spain

5. Valeriano Weyler – Spanish Governor of Cuba
Unhappy with revolutionaries and Cubans in general
Ordered all Cuban natives into camps
1 out of 8 Cubans died (got ill, malnourished, beaten)
Weyler’s nickname in the
press was “The Butcher”

6. U.S. Govt. wants to stay neutral at 1st
Why?
U.S. had pretty good relationship with Spain
What changes this?
3 main factors

7. 1. Yellow Journalism
In competition for readers, two New York newspapers (Hearst and Pulitzer led them) wrote exaggerated stories about the Cuban rebellion. This yellow journalism – sensational writing that exaggerates news to attract and enrage readers - sold a lot of papers but had other effects as well:
It whipped up American public opinion in favor of the Cuban rebels.
It led to a burst of national pride and the desire for an aggressive foreign policy

8. 2. The De Lome Letter
A letter from a Spanish Govt. official in Cuba intended for “a higher up” in Spain was stolen by Cuban revolutionaries, who sold it to a NY Paper
It basically called U.S. President McKinley a wimp

9. 3. U.S.S. Maine Explodes Battleship stationed close to Cuba
Nobody knows for sure what caused the explosion
Around 260 Americans killed
U.S. papers jump to the conclusion that Spain did it.
“Remember the Maine”

11. U.S. Govt. pressured to act
Declares war (April 1898)
Includes Teller Amendment
U.S. promises to not make Cuba a territory after peace was established.
Cuban people would finally get independence.

12. The War (Part 1) U.S. began with a surprise attack (May 1, 1898)
Where? The Philippines (another Spanish colony)
Not close to Cuba (in the Pacific Ocean)
Why?
to sink Spanish ships stationed there before they could sail towards the U.S. or reinforce Cuba

13. Admiral George Dewey (under orders from the Asst. Sec
Admiral George Dewey (under orders from the Asst. Sec. of the Navy Teddy Roosevelt) destroyed Spain’s entire Pacific fleet in 7 hours

14. Helped Filipino revolutionary leader
Emilio Aguinaldo led a land invasion.
Did not originally plan to do this
Spain surrenders in Philippines (Aug. 1898)
Who would rule the islands?
The revolutionaries (led by Aguilnaldo)? OR…
The U.S (a new colony)?
More in
Sec. 3

15. The War (Part 2) Focus is on Cuba
U.S. Navy and Cavalry attack together
U.S troops
Arrive in
Cuba
June 22, 1898

16. U.S. Military not well equipped
Small # of troops
Supplies like food, clothing, weapons, and medicine were either scarce, inappropriate, or out of date.

17. The Rough Riders Teddy Roosevelt resigns his post in the
Pacific for some action in Cuba
-Led group of cavalry (reality) in many battles
(Most Famous – San Juan Hill)
Brought his own photographer and writer with him
Became a hero due to this (created the myth)
(led to him being governor of NY and
eventually President)

18. African Americans also helped but get hardly any credit
Buffalo Soldiers

19. Navy Sinks Spanish Fleet in Cuba
Navy had ships stationed off East Coast and Florida prepared for an attack on U.S.
Led by Admiral William Sampson in the Carribean
Spain sent all ships to Santiago (port in Cuba) to give supplies and organize (bad idea)
U.S. found out, surrounded the port, and sunk all ships when they tried to leave
Results
Spanish – 500 killed
US – 1 killed

20. The End of the War armistice (cease fire) agreed to in August 1898.
around 3 and a half months after war started (short war!)
Treaty of Paris officially signed in February 1899
Cuba freed (what now?)
Guam (in Pacific) and Puerto Rico (in Carribean) become U.S. territories
Philippines bought for $20 million (debate started).
Website has 8 min video
Summarizing Sp. Am. War