1.  Sensationalism ◦ Full of exaggeration and bias  New York newspaper rivals ◦ Joseph Pulitzer (New York World) ◦ William R. Hearst (New York Journal)

3.  James Creelman ◦ Reporter ◦ Got public excited about Cuba

4. The Cuban Melodrama. The NOBLE HERO (to the HEAVY VILLAIN): “Stand Back, there, gold darn ye! – If you force this thing to a fifth act, remember that’s where I git in my work!” (Puck, 3 June 1896)

5. The Spanish American War of 1898

6.  Cuba in revolt, 1895 ◦ US Tariff on sugar, 1894 ◦ Gen. Valerio “Butcher” Weyler ◦ Cubans in concentration camps

7.  de Lôme Letter (Feb. 1898) ◦ Spanish ambassador insults McKinley ◦ "... McKinley is: weak and catering to the rabble, and, besides, a low politician, who desires to leave a door open to me and to stand well with the jingoes of his party."

8.  Destroyed in Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898

9.  Free and Independent Cuba  “[the United States] hereby disclaims any disposition of intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island except for pacification thereof, and asserts its determination, when that is accomplished, to leave the government and control of the island to its people.”  April 1898

10.  What do you think was the most important cause of the war?

11.  April 25, 1898 - US Declares War

12.  US President elected 1896  Imperialist  Friend of big business  Criticized for slow response to Spain

13.  Brash, young politician  Secretary of the Navy  Resigns at war’s outset to fight in Cuba ◦ “Rough Riders”

14.  Admiral of the US Navy  Sent to Pacific by Roosevelt  Engages Spanish at Manila

15.  Leader of Philippine independence movement  The Philippines in revolt in 1896  Asks US to help

17.  Battles ◦ San Juan Hill  July 1, 1898 ◦ Santiago  July 16, 1898 ◦ Spanish forces surrender

18.  May, 1898 ◦ US Warships visit San Juan Harbor ◦ Begin bombardment  Island secured by July with little resistance

19.  May 1, 1898 ◦ Dewey sails into Manila harbor ◦ Decimates Spanish fleet

20.  460 Americans die in battle ◦ 5,200 die of disease  US needs to decide what to do with Spain and former colonies ◦ Negotiators head to Paris for treaty talks