2. The Spanish Empire Areas that were at one time part of the Spanish Empire

3. Civil War in Cuba In 1895 civil war broke out in Cuba between Spain and Cuban rebels. By 1895, Spain had only a few colonial possessions left including the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba

4. Cuban Rebellion Spanish General Valeriano Weyler, orders thousands of Cubans (by 1898 1/3 of all Cubans) into concentration camps. Any person who failed to obey was shot. Food was scarce and famine and disease quickly swept through the camps. Over 400,000 Cubans died as a result of the Spanish Policy.

5. Setting the Stage for War In competition for readership, two New York newspapers wrote exaggerated stories about the Cuban rebellion. Chapter 10, Section 2 This yellow journalism sold a lot of papers but had other effects as well: It whipped up American public opinion in favor of the Cuban rebels! The Yellow Kid

7. Printed under a headline that read: Cuban Babes Prey to Famine Thousands of Children Perishing in Island Towns Sights that Sicken Strong Men

8. The New York Journal reports "...blood on the roadsides, blood in the villages, blood, blood, blood!" When William Randolph Hearst sent a reporter to cover the rumored war, he cabled back that there was no war going on. Hearst wired back: “Please remain. You supply the pictures, and I'll supply the war.”

9. To get the attention of the U.S. government – Cuban Rebels burn plantations owned by U.S. businessmen. With millions of dollars of business investments in Cuba, the businessmen demand help from President McKinley The U.S. Battleship Maine is sent to protect U.S. citizens and as a warning message to Spain!

10. January 28, 1898 Passing Moro Castle in Havana

11. DeLome Letter written to Sp. Foreign Minister “…it shows once more what McKinley is, weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd, besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave the door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party.” DeLome – The Spanish Ambassador to the U.S.

12. Uh-Oh... on February 9, 1898 New York Journal owner William Randolph Hearst published the letter under the headline, "The Worst Insult to the United States in Its History." Six days later comes the final straw!

13. Remember the Maine!

17. WAR! President McKinley feels he has no choice – On April 11 th, 1898 he asks Congress to declare war on Spain.