1. The Spanish American War Samoset Middle School 8 th Grade Social Studies

2. America’s Pacific Empire

3. Spain’s Declining Power Due to wars fought in Europe, Spain’s power in the Caribbean greatly declined By the 1890’s, Spain was left with Cuba and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean and the Philippines and Guam in the Pacific

4. Cuba Located 90 miles from Florida U.S. had important economic interests in Cuba Investments in railroads, sugar & rice plantations, tobacco & iron mines

5. “Cuba Libre” Beginning in 1868, Cubans revolt against Spanish rule In 1895, Spain sends a ruthless governor to Cuba to crush the rebellion At least 100,000 Cubans are killed in reconcentration camps Many Americans sympathized with Cubans but many businesses wanted to protect their interests

6. Yellow Journalism Joseph Pulitzer’s World and William Randolph Hearst’s Journal were competing for readers Yellow journalism - when journalists rely on sensational stories, which are usually bias or untrue, in order to sell more newspapers Both printed the most graphic stories about Spanish atrocities Analysis => What was the impact on public opinion? “You supply the pictures, I’ll supply the war.” - William Randolph Hearst to a photographer going to Cuba

7. Remember The Maine! McKinley sends the battleship Maine to protect U.S. citizens living in Havana, Cuba after riots break out The ship suddenly explodes in Havana Harbor killing 260 crew members Yellow journalists blame the Spanish and use the rallying cry, “Remember The Maine” to get McKinley to ask for a declaration of war War is declared on April 25, 1898

8. War in Cuba American navy blockades Spanish fleet in Santiago Bay American army lands in Santiago and fight with Cuban rebels Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders join the army and capture San Juan Hill overlooking the city of Santiago After loss of Santiago, Spanish fleet tries to escape Santiago Bay but is destroyed by American navy

10. The Rough Riders

11. Spanish American War in the Philippines Once war is declared on Spain, U.S. naval forces arrive in Philippines, Spain’s Pacific base U.S. naval commander launches surprise attack and destroys the Spanish fleet U.S. troops fight side by side with Filipino rebels and defeat the Spanish

12. “A Splendid Little War” War lasted only 4 months with only 400 U.S. soldiers killed – however thousands died from disease Cuba gains independence but must ratify the Platt Amendment in their new constitution => gave U.S. a naval base and allowed U.S. to intervene when necessary U.S. gains Puerto Rico in Caribbean and Guam in Pacific U.S. acquires Philippines for $20 million. How do Filipino rebels feel?