1. Imperialism & Spanish-American War
(Ch. 18.1/18.2)
Imperialism-stronger nations extend their political, economic, or military control over weaker territories
Most Americans thought US should expand (manifest destiny)
Three factors that fueled the new American imperialism
Desire for military strength
thirst for new markets
belief in cultural superiority
Desire for military strength, to compete globally
Alfred T. Mahan-urged gov’t to expand naval power-became 3rd largest
Thirst for New Markets
US produced more than needed
needed raw materials
foreign trade was the solution to end American problems
Cultural superiority
Social Darwinism, Anglo-Saxon,Christianity beliefs pushed US expansion
US buys Alaska from Russia-Seward’s Folly-Alaska becomes state in 1959
US annexed Hawaii with cry from sugar planters. Built Pearl Harbor.

2. Spanish-American War
Jose Marti-an exile in US organized a revolt against Spanish in Cuba-independence
US had plantations and businesses in Cuba—Public opinion was split
Business men wanted US to support Spain-others wanted Cubans to gain their independence
Spain response-placed 300,000 Cubans in concentration camps
William Randolph Hearst & Joseph Pulitzer tried to influence readers of their newspapers
Yellow journalism-exaggerates news to lure & enrage readers-helped fan war fever
Hearst published a private letter-De Lome Letter
criticized McKinley as weak & just wanting admiration of his people
U.S.S. Maine-US ship stationed in Cuba harbor
Bring home US citizens in danger &protect American property
February 15, 1898 ship exploded killing more than 260 Americans
Headlines blame the Spanish for the explosion “Remember the Maine”

3. Spanish-American War
April 20th US declares war- surprises Spain by not attacking Cuba 1st
Philippines-Spanish colony-Filipinos wanted independence
America blockades Cuban ports---125,000 volunteered to fight
Troops land in Cuba June ,000 including 4 black regiments
Rough Riders-volunteer cavalry-Theodore Roosevelt becomes famous in this group
most famous battle in Cuba San Juan Hill-claimed Roosevelt as a hero
US naval fleet destroys Spanish Fleet & take Puerto Rico
US & Spain signed an armistice on Aug. 12 ending the “Splendid little war”
Treaty of Paris 1898
Spain freed Cuba
US acquired Guam & Puerto Rico
US bought Philippines for $20 million
Treaty touched off debates in US
Should US annex Philippines-McKinley-yes, they needed to be educated/Christianized
Booker T. Washington-US should concentrate on race relations in US
Samuel Gompers feared Filipino immigrants would compete for American jobs

4. Be a Yellow Journalist U.S.S. Maine
Your job is to create a yellow journalist type of headline for the following three events:
Spanish-American War (for involvement)
U.S.S. Maine
Imperialism of the Philippines (for and against)