1. Word of the Day:
Yellow Journalism- Journalism that is based upon SENSATIONALISM and crude exaggeration.
Warm Up: How does this image show U.S. Imperialism? What were reasons that the U.S. Imperialized?

2. Do you support any of the reasons listed below?
Connection: Consider this question: When is it appropriate for the United States to send soldiers to fight and face death on foreign soil?
Do you support any of the reasons listed below?
To assist an ally of the United State
To protect territory that is close to U.S. border
To stop human rights abuses
To acquire resources
To gain power
To acquire territory
To improve national security
To spread or protect American values
To fight against tyrannical governments

3. TURN 2 TALK: CULTURAL SUPERIORITY/WHITE MAN’S BURDEN
“…there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by God’s grace do the very best we could by them…”
-Pres. McKinley 1903

5. Empires Across the World in the 1700s

6. Origins of the Spanish-American War
America Builds an Empire:
Spanish American War (1898)
Origins of the Spanish-American War
Spain
Cuba
By 1890, Spain’s overseas empire was reduced to:
Cuba
Philippines
Puerto Rico
Most Cubans worked on sugar plantations.
1890: US raised tariffs on foreign sugar imports which led to unemployment in Cuba.
Jose Marti and rebels declare independence from Spain
Spain Responds by sending in the army to crush the rebellion with brutal methods
Jose Marti
How does this affect the United States?

7. What are some issues that might lead the Cubans to rebel against their overseas King? Sound familiar? (Think American Revolution…)

8. HOW AND WHY DOES THE UNITED STATES GET INVOLVED?
1. YELLOW JOURNALISM
Hearst (New York Journal) and Pulitzer (New York World) printed exaggerated accounts to deepen American sympathy for the rebels
Sensational style of writing, which exaggerates the news to lure and enrage readers
Does the media still attempt this style of news to lure and enrage readers?

10. HOW AND WHY DOES THE UNITED STATES GET INVOLVED?
Why would criticism of the president lead to war?
2. The De Lome Letter
Private letter of Spanish minister to the US, published in New York World. Openly criticized President McKinley calling him “weak”
Fueled anti-Spanish feelings in America.

12. HOW AND WHY DOES THE UNITED STATES GET INVOLVED?
3. Sinking of the USS Maine
Did the Spanish sink our battleship?
USS Maine is sent to Cuba to protect the lives and property of Americans.
While in the Havana harbor, it explodes and kills 258 sailors.
Although the cause was unknown, Hearst and Pulitzer newspapers blame the Spanish!

15. HOW DID HEARST AND PULITZER “SENSATIONALIZE” THIS EVENT?

16. Acting As an Amateur Historian:
In this climate of public opinion, President McKinley felt he had no choice but to ask Congress for permission to intervene in Cuba.
“Our acts hitherto have been an unselfish desire for peace and prosperity in Cuba. The forced intervention of the United States as a neutral to stop the war may be briefly summarized as follows:
First, in the cause of humanity to put an end to the barbarities, bloodshed, and miseries now existing there… it is our duty, for it is right at our door. Second, we owe it to our citizens in Cuba… to terminate the conditions that deprive them of legal protection. Third, the right to intervene may be justified by the present condition of affairs in Cuba, is a constant menace to our peace- all these and others that I need not mention, with the resulting strained relations, are a constant menace to our peace and compel us to keep a semi- war footing with a nation with which we were at peace.”
Explain how you would have voted as a member of Congress in 1898.
Did McKinley initially want war?
Roosevelt, bored with his desk job as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, was ready for WAR.

17. The war was fought on two fronts: the Pacific and the Caribbean
The Pacific Front:
US Pacific fleet sailed to the Philippines to aid Filipino rebels already in revolt against Spain.
The Navy defeated a squadron of Spanish ships in Manila Bay.
President McKinley was, at first, unaware of the Navy’s quick success against the Spanish, which is why he also sent in ground troops

18. The war was fought on two fronts: the Pacific and the Caribbean
The Caribbean Front:
Theodore Roosevelt raised a volunteer force the “Rough Riders.”
Acting with other army regiments, they defeated the Spanish at San Juan Hill in Cuba.
Out of all the troops that died in the Spanish-American War, only about 400 died from battle, the other 2,000 died from Yellow Fever & Malaria, diseases carried by mosquitos

19. Who were these “other Army regiments?”
The “Buffalo Soldiers” were African-American troops which made up the majority of the troops sent down to Cuba to fight in the Spanish-American War

20. Aftermath: The Spanish American War as a Turning Point
The Spanish were defeated in four months
“A splendid little war.” –Secretary of State, John Hay
Aftermath: The Spanish American War as a Turning Point
U.S. was left in occupation of the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam
New territories = EXPANSION OF TRADE
Turning Point
END of Spain’s colonial EMPIRE
3. U.S. emerged as a NEW WORLD POWER
Demonstrated its naval strength
LEADING INDUSTRIAL POWER
4. Leads to this questions: What should the U.S. do with the former Spanish colonies?
TREATY OF PARIS 1898

21. Process/Connection 3-2-1
3 – things you learned
2 – things you found interesting
1 – question you still have