1. The Mexican-American & Spanish-American Wars 2013-2014

2. What Should I Die For? A country’s ruling class needs its people to support a war Official Reasons: –1) Protecting Americans, 2) fighting evil, 3)helping people Unofficial Reasons are usually not shared with the people: –Power & money/resources

3. Key Details of the Mex-Am War War lasted from 1846 – 1848 For $15 million, the US took half of Mexico’s land About 13,000 US soldiers died

4. “Official” Reasons for the War 1. Self-Defense: –“Mexico attacked and killed US soldiers on US soil” Question: If that were the real reason, did those 13,000 US soldiers die for a good cause? Explain.

5. Unofficial Reasons for the War 1. Many US whites were committed to the idea of Manifest Destiny –Take over the continent from Atlantic to Pacific

6. Unofficial Reasons for the War 2. US ruling class wanted California, but it belonged to Mexico –Extremely valuable farmland and resources The US started it: –President Polk sent US soldiers into disputed territory hoping for conflict

7. Question (answer on the sheet) Are you surprised that a US president lied about the reasons for the war? Why or why not?

8. Key Details of the Span-Am War Started and ended in 1898 For $20 million, US took possession of Spain’s colonies: a. Puerto Rico b. Cuba c. The Philippines d. Guam 2,400 US soldiers died

9. “Official” Reasons for the War 1. It was self-defense: –President McKinley said Spain attacked the US by blowing up the US battleship Maine 2. We will spread freedom: –The US wanted to “liberate” people being oppressed by Spain in its colonies

10. Question: Would you be willing to risk your life to free people in another country? Why or why not?

11. Unofficial Reasons for the War 1. Monroe Doctrine (1823) – US ruling class believed that they (not Europe) should control what happens in N. & S. America Property of the U.S.A. Property of Europe

12. Unofficial Reasons for the War 2. Economic Reasons – If the US controlled more territory, US corporations could increase profits –Exploit workers in poorer countries –Get cheaper raw materials for their products –Sell products to more people in other countries

13. Question “It’s a rich man’s war, but a poor man’s fight.” Based on the unofficial reasons for these 2 wars, what does that mean?