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The Spanish-American War and the Root Reforms
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The problem in Cuba... Significant U.S. economic interests in Cuba. Revolution (off and on) in Cuba since 1868. –Resumes in 1895 U.S. interests want stability. 1896: General Valeriano Weyler sent to suppress the rebellion. –Weyler’s methods were brutal. –Reconcentrado policy
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The problem in Cuba... the U.S. “war faction” Humanitarians “Jingoists” Elements of the Republican Party Expansionists... and the “Yellow Press”
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Joseph Pulitzer The New York World William Randolph Hurst The New York Journal
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January 1898, USS Maine arrives in Havana
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The slide toward war... McKinley was opposed to war. 9 FEB, Hurst publishes “DeLome Letter” “... McKinley is weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave a door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party”.
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18 February 1898 USS Maine blows up.
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The slide toward war... 25 February: Roosevelt instructs Navy to attack Philippines in the event of war. 11 April: McKinley calls for intervention in Cuba. –Approved 20 April 20 April: Teller Amendment Teller Amendment. 23April: Spain declares war on the U.S.
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1 May 1898 Battle of Manila Bay
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22-24 June US troops land in Cuba
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Hawaii annexed 7 July
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Sanford Dole Queen Lili‘uokalani’ American businessmen took over Hawaii in 1893.
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17 July: Santiago surrenders to General William Shafter 12 August: Spain signs armistice 13 August: US troops capture Manila
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Costs... $250,000,000 5,462 Americans dead 385 KIA 5,077 of disease 1,604 WIA
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Results... The Treaty of Paris, 1898 Cuba would become independent Temporary American occupation Platt Amendment Spain would assume Cuban debt. U.S. acquires: Puerto Rico Guam Philippines (for $20 million)
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The American Empire, 1898
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Election of 1900 Imperialism the major issue. McKinley wins. 295 to 155 6 September, 1901 McKinley shot.
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“That damn cowboy’s President!”
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The Filipino-American War
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The Filipino-American War 1898-1902(?) Vicious and brutal (both sides). Significant American war crimes. Aguinaldo eventually captured. Taft’s teachers. Roosevelt declares war over 4 July 1902. Americans and Filipinos eventually develop a close relationship.
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Summary... Spanish-American War makes U.S. an international power. America’s new role accepted by most Americans. The Navy’s performance reinforced the ideas of Mahan. The Army’s performance left much to be desired.
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China Relief Expedition 1900-1901 Commander, BG Adna Chaffee 9th and 14th Infantry Regiments Detachment, 6th Cavalry Battery F, 5th Artillery Battalion, U.S. Marines
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China Relief Expedition British French Italian Russian German Austrian Japanese Multinational force, 19,000 troops. Americans worked with:
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The “Root Reforms” Army’s performance in the war with Spain had been poor. – Outdated organization; Staff and Line – Archiac equipment – No real planning capability Elihu Root become Secretary of War, 1899. – a corporate lawyer
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The “Root Reforms” Elihu Root become Secretary of War, 1899. – a corporate lawyer
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The “Root Reforms” Weapons improvements: – 1903 Springfield replaces the Krag – Knife bayonet replaces rod bayonet – Smokeless powder replaces black powder – New 3 in. artillery field piece – Experimentation begun with machine guns –.45 M1911 Colt pistol replaces the.38 caliber revolver
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3-inch M1902 field gun
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Colt Lewis Hotchkiss
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S&W.38 Special 1898 Colt M1892
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The “Root Reforms” The General Staff Bill – Root reads Upton’s Military Policy of the United States – LTC William Carter helps convince him – Congress passes the bill in 1903.
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The General Staff
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Improved education... Army War College General Staff and service College Service Schools: – Artillery – Engineer – Submarine Defense (mines and torpedeos) – Cavalry and Field Artillery – Medical Corps – Signal Corps
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Regulars vs. the Militia Militia Act of 1903, “Dick Act” reforms the militia – “Organized Militia” National Guard – Reserve Militia Federal $$ made available to National Guard Drills twice a month Annual training Regulars could be detailed to the Guard President could proscribe length of Federal service President could appoint all officers while in Federal Service.
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Higher Echelon Organization Largest peacetime organization = regiment. 1910, General Staff draws plans for divisional organization. Provisional division formed in 1911. Average strength of the Army 1902-1911 = 75,000 Average installation strength = 700
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The Army continued its non-military functions. Provided governmental services in American colonies. Projected American power in “operations other than war.” – “Little Wars” Built the Panama Canal
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Then came Mexico... and war in Europe.
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