1. Topic 23 – PART 2 An American Empire
Unit #7—
Topic 23 – PART 2
An American Empire

2. APUSH PowerPoint #7.2 (Part 2 of 5)
Chapter 20
BFW Textbook (eBook) – “An Emerging World Power” (1890—1918)
TOPIC – American Imperialism
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3. III. The Spanish-American War

4. Section III Spanish-American War
Main Idea:
In 1898, the United States went to war to help Cuba win its independence from Spain. The result thrusted the United States as a world power and imperialist nation.

5. A. “Cuba Libre” Cuba Rebels American Capitalism
In 1868 and 1878, Cuban revolutionaries fought against Spain, but did not succeed in bringing American forces to help them.
American Capitalism
The United States began sending money to build plantations in Cuba (1886) bringing much needed capital to the island and supported a growing number of American businesses on the island nation.

6. B. Leading a Revolution Jose Marti
Cuban journalist who organized a revolt in February of 1895.
Marti used Guerilla campaigns excite the concern of American investors.
When raw sugar prices collapsed, many unemployed workers joined the rebellion.
Jose Marti

7. C. Weyler’s Reconcentration Policy
Valeriano Weyler
Spanish general sent to Cuba to put down the rebellion (1896) eventually killing thousands.
Weyler set up concentration camps to control the rural population (nearly 300,000 were imprisoned in reconcentrado centers).
Valeriano Weyler

8. D. The “Yellow Press” “Yellow Journalism”
The “yellow press” used sensational writing meant to exaggerate news and enrage readers.
Used by Hearst’s Journal and Pulitzer’s World to influence the American public.
Both newspapers had reporters in Cuba sending pictures and information back to the United States.

9. D. The “Yellow Press” (Cont’d . . .)
William Randolph Hearst
Publisher New York Journal.
Competed with Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper for readership.
Speaking to his staff artist, Hearst stated, “You furnish me the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”
William Hearst

10. D. The “Yellow Press” (Cont’d . . .)
Joseph Pulitzer
Publisher New York World and used his publications to fan war fever.
Competed with Hearst’s newspaper for national readership.
Joseph Pulitzer

11. E. Cleveland’s Efforts to Compromise
Cleveland Compromises
Despite attempts to protect American rights in Cuba without war, public sympathy for the Cuban rebels grew.
On April 6, 1896, Congress endorsed official recognition of the rebellion.
Spain refused to allow any measure of self-government to the rebels.
Grover Cleveland

12. Presidential Election of 1896

13. 25th President 1897 – 1901 William McKinley Party: Republican
Home State:
Ohio
Vice President:
Garrett A. Hobart (1st Term)
Theodore Roosevelt (2nd Term)

14. William McKinley Domestic Elected to two terms in 1896 and 1900
Supported high tariffs
Assassinated six months into second term
Foreign
Forced the annexation of Hawaii in 1898
President during the Spanish-American War (1898)
President during the acquisition of Guam, the Philippines, Puerto Rico

15. F. McKinley’s Policy in Cuba
William McKinley [1897—1901]
Became president in 1897 and inherited the Cuban crisis from Grover Cleveland.
McKinley attempted a diplomatic solution to Cuba’s civil war.
Spain eventually recalled Weyler, but the crisis still threatened United States businesses in Cuba.
William McKinley

16. G. Arousal of Public Opinion
“De Lome Letter”
Published in New York Journal (Feb. 9th 1898).
A letter to Spain’s foreign minister from Enrique Dupuy de Lome (Ambassador to the United States) calling McKinley “weak” and denounced him as a leader.

17. G. Arousal of Public Opinion (Cont’d . . .)
U.S.S. Maine –
United States battleship sent to protect American interest in Cuba.
The Maine blew up in Havana Harbor (February 15, 1898) killing 260 men and sinking the ship.
Americans became outraged and public opinion favored war.

18. G. Arousal of Public Opinion (Cont’d . . .)
“Yellow Journalism” fuels the desire for war

19. H. Congress Declares War
McKinley Asks for War
Following weeks of preparation, the United States gave an ultimatum of Cuban independence.
On April 25, 1898, Congress agreed to war following an order to blockade Cuban ports.