1. Chapter 18 Imperialism and the Spanish-American War

2. Yellow Journalism
Sensational style of reporting the news that was used to attract readers
William Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer practiced yellow journalism in their NYC newspapers
“You furnish the pictures. I’ll furnish the war.”
Fanned war fever and caused US public opinion to turn in favor of the Cuban independence movement

3. The Yellow Kid

4. De Lome Letter
In early 1898 the DeLome letter called Pres. William McKinley weak
The contents of the letter were seen as a serious insult to our national pride
Written by Spanish diplomat Enrique Dupuy de Lome
The letter was stolen by a Cuban rebel and leaked to “yellow” newspapers

5. USS Maine Explodes
Pres. McKinley orders USS Maine to Cuba to pick up US citizens in danger from fight between Spanish authorities and Cuban rebels
USS Maine blows up in Havana harbor;
260 dead
Yellow journalists say Spanish mine or torpedo was to blame
True? No. An accidental boiler explosion detonated gunpowder on the Maine
“Remember the Maine” becomes rallying cry for war!
Hearst offers $50K reward for capture of Spanish culprits

7. The Philippines
First battle of the Spanish-American War fought in Manila Bay, the Philippines
Spanish thought US would attack Cuba first
Admiral George Dewey , US Naval Commander, and Emilio Aguinaldo, Filipino rebel leader, are main characters
Dewey sails w/US fleet from Hong Kong to Philippines
In Manila Bay, Dewey destroys Spanish forces w/in hours
US troops land on mainland

8. US Forces Invade Cuba (War in the Caribbean)
US navy blockades Cuba
Spanish fleet bottled up in Santiago harbor
What’s wrong with our troops?
Not enough supplies
Not enough guns
Heavy woolen uniforms in tropical climate
Not enough effective leaders-most officers Civil War vets; too old and uninspired
Outcome?
125,000 Americans volunteer to fight the Spanish
Took longer than Philippines
Spanish fleet destroyed

9. Rough Riders Volunteer cavalry unit sent to Cuba in June of 1898
Led by Teddy Roosevelt and Leonard Wood
The Rough Riders, joined by several African-American units, charge uphill first on Kettle Hill, then lead way for infantry attack and capture of strategic San Juan Hill
US now able to control Santiago harbor and destroy Spanish fleet
Victory gave US confidence for next attack on Puerto Rico

11. Treaty of Paris December 10, 1898
Terms of the Treaty of Paris
1. Spain frees Cuba
2. Puerto Rico and Guam acquired by US
3. US pays $20M for annexation of Philippines

12. Annexation of the Philippines
Annex- to incorporate territory into an existing country or state
Pres. McKinley prayed for guidance on what to do with the Philippines
He said, “We must take the Philippines and educate and Christianize the people”
US Senate approves treaty to annex Philippines on February

13. Debate over US Imperialism in the Philippines
Does the US have the right to annex the Philippines? Is Imperialism moral?
Most Filipinos were Catholic Christians under Spanish rule for centuries!
Treaty of Paris violated the Declaration of Independence; denied Filipino self-government
Booker T. Washington- famous African-American fighter for Civil Rights says, “settle and fix racial inequality at home before taking on social problems overseas”
Samuel Gompers (remember him?) feared Filipino immigrants would compete for American jobs

14. End of the Spanish-American War
The war lasted only 16 weeks!
5,400 Americans died from heat exhaustion, disease, and combat
John Hay, US Secretary of State, called it “the splendid little war”.
US emerges as a world power

15. It’s Alive! The Creation of the World’s Baddest Super Power
(or How Uncle Sam Got His Swag)
The Spanish-American War demonstrated that industrialization in the late 19th century had made the US a great power. Now, as the frontier in the American West disappeared, the nation sought new room to grow: world markets, protected by a worldwide Navy based on island territories throughout the globe.
Also, "Social Darwinism" proclaimed to many Americans that
international relations was a “winner take all” game. The "fittest" nations would do whatever it takes in order to survive and dominate.
Regardless of the reasons behind annexation, the Spanish-American War and the colonies it brought to the US marked, for better or worse, the beginning of the modern era of US intervention in world affairs. This emergence of the US onto the international stage as a world power also symbolized to many that the US had finally emerged, whole and healthy, from the era of the Civil War and Reconstruction.