1. 20-2 The Spanish – American War

2. Governor Valeriano Weyler
War Clouds Loom
Since Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, Cuba had been under Spanish rule
1868 – the Cubans rebelled and this conflict was ongoing for a decade
1895 – the Cubans rebelled again, but this time the Spanish took harsh actions against the Cuban people, including forcibly removing them to camps, where 200,000 died under the policy of reconcentration
This harsh treatment was publicized in the American newspapers
Governor Valeriano Weyler was assigned to be in charge of controlling Cuba for Spain.
Governor Valeriano Weyler

3. Jose Marti’ Poet that led Cuban exiles to the United States
Urged our government to help rebels
Wanted an independent Cuba for his people
Died in a conflict in Cuba before this dream became true

4. American Business People
Urged U.S. intervention to protect the considerable American business interests in Cuba
$50 million invested in sugar and rice plantations, railroads, & iron mines in this part of the world
Presidents Cleveland & McKinley both tried to avoid conflict here
Sugar plantation

5. William Randolph Hearst
Yellow Journalism
Who are the main characters in this cartoon?
What does this political cartoon suggest?
Encouraged the American public to sympathize with the Cuban rebels and to call for war
“FEEDING PRISONERS TO THE SHARKS”
Joseph Pulitzer
New York World
William Randolph Hearst
New York Journal

6. Dupuy de Lôme

7. de Lôme Letter
Angered the American public because of its criticism of President McKinley
Increased anti- Spanish feeling

8. “Remember the Maine” 260 men killed
Happened one week after the De Lôme Letter (February )
This tragic moment infuriated the American public and led to widespread support for war

9. PAIR UP QUICKLY WITH ONE OR TWO PARTNERS!
What would you do?
PAIR UP QUICKLY WITH ONE OR TWO PARTNERS!
If you were President of the United States during this moment in history, what would you do?
What are your reasons for that decision?
What is another possible solution to the problem?

10. Off to War President McKinley again favors a peaceful settlement
He was afraid of what war might do to the economy
Remember the depression of 1893?
McKinley also remembered the horrors of the Civil War; he was the last of our presidents to serve in that war
In the end McKinley has to ask for a declaration of war from Congress on April 11, 1898
Congress declares war nine days later

11. Philippines
Teddy Roosevelt, who was Assistant Secretary of the Navy, ordered Commodore George Dewey and his fleet to the Philippines right after the Maine blew up
On May 1st Dewey and the fleet sank all of the Spanish ships in the area without losing one American ship
Emilio Aguinaldo was a rebel leader from the Philippines that helped America gain control of Manila, which is the capital city
Aguinaldo later fought against America when he learned we had no intention of giving the Philippines independence
Many Filipinos, including Aguinaldo, felt betrayed
We held the Philippines as a protectorate until 1946

12. Cuba
Cuba was the next place fighting took place in this war, and most of the fighting was centered around Santiago
Americans were not well prepared
Teddy’s Rough Riders led the way on July 1st by charging San Juan Hill and helping to capture Santiago
American ships did the rest by surrounding the area and forcing the Spanish to surrender
Cuba does not gain independence as America replaces Spain and becomes a protectorate or an independent country whose policies are controlled by an outside power

13. Puerto Rico Went from Spanish to American rule
The Foraker Act of 1900 set up a government in Puerto Rico with a U.S. appointed governor in charge.
America has helped to develop their economy and educational systems
1917 Puerto Ricans were given American citizenship
Many would still prefer to be independent

14. What is Manifest Destiny?
Isolationists!
This war was over by December 1898
A peace treaty was signed by America and Spain
Two groups began to debate the fairness of this treaty
Who were they?
What were their main arguments?
The argument would go on well into the 20th century, and some might say it still exists today
Violates our own principles of the Declaration of Independence
Brings the risk of future conflicts or even wars
Expansionists!
Gives the United States important military bases
Allows for new business opportunities
The U.S. has a duty to spread our democracy and religion to other parts of the world (Manifest Destiny)

15. End Results
Most battles in this war were fought on land and sea, which showed off our new Naval power
The U.S. gained Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, & Wake Island from the Spanish
We gave Spain $20 million in return
The United States gained military, political, and economic advantages that now made it a world player!