1. Spanish American War
American History

2. vocabulary
Propaganda
sensationalism
Ultimatum
Cease
armistice

3. Causes for the War

4. American Spirit of Imperialism

5. Spanish brutality against Cubans
Discontent with Spanish rule
Depression of 1893 hurt sugar prices
Revolt
Cubans established a group (Junta) in New York City to raise money for weapons and create a propaganda war to sway American Opinion
Spaniards crushed the revolt and put Cubans in concentration camps (thousands died due to horrible conditions)

6. Yellow Journalism Newspapers publishing sensationalism
Joseph Pulitzer – New York World
William Randolph Hearst – NY Journal
Printed horrid stories of Spanish Atrocities (exaggerated?)

7. Publishing the de Lome Letter
Called President McKinley weak and a leader who is just a crowd pleaser

9. Sinking of the Maine On a good will mission to Cuba from the U.S.
Battleship “Maine” sunk in Havana Harbor (mystery) 266 men died
Sympathy from Spanish
Battle cry “Remember the Maine, and to H**l with Spain”

10. Yellow Press Claimed that the Spanish had planted a bomb
Even faked pictures of Spaniards putting bombs around the ship

11. Ultimatum McKinley had been opposed to war Gave Spain an ultimatum
Cease fighting and grant armistice to revolutionaries
Negotiate with Cubans for self government or independence
Abolish concentration camps

12. War ?
Sec of Navy – Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed that Pres. McKinley had no more backbone than a chocolate éclair”
McKinley caves into pressure
Spanish accept the ultimatum on April 9
On April 11 President asks Congress to intervene
April 19 – Congress votes to use military forces against Spain (Teller Resolution)