1. The Spanish-American War Chapter 17 Section 2

2. Cuban Rebellion Begins Cuba was a colony of Spain 1868 – Cuban rebels declare independence and launch a guerilla war against Spanish authorities –Ten years later the rebellion collapsed –Many Cubans fled to America and b/g planning a new revolution By 1890’s the US and Cuba had b/c closely linked economically

3. America Supports Cuba 1895 – a new rebellion is launched Cleveland declares the US neutral, but… –The public openly supported the rebellion Yellow journalism –Sensationalist reporting where writers exaggerate or even made up stories to attract readers Newspapers printed exaggerated or false stories on Spanish violence to the Cuban people

4. A Negotiation? 1897 – McKinley b/c president – does not want to go to war for Cuban independence –He asks the Spanish if the US could help negotiate a peace b/w Cuba and Spain –Spain offers autonomy if Cuba remains part of the Spanish empire Autonomy – right to their own government –Cuban rebels refused to negotiate – they want full independence

5. Tensions Rise Spain’s willingness to negotiate w/ Cuban rebels angers Spanish loyalists in Cuba –Loyalists start riots –McKinley fears the loyalists will attack American citizens in Cuba –He sends the battleship Maine to Havana in case Americans need to be evacuated

6. The Maine Explodes The Maine exploded in Havana harbor –The press and the public blame Spain –Congress authorizes the president $50 million to b/g preparations for war McKinley comes under great pressure to go to war –Americans b/g using the slogan “Remember the Maine!” as their rally cry for war

7. Ready for War! Republicans were ready for war –Jingoism – attitude of aggressive nationalism –They start to see McKinley (a republican) as soft Democrats also b/g demanding war April 11, 1898 – McKinley finally asked Congress to authorize the use of force to end the conflict in Cuba

8. War Begins April 19, 1898 Congress… –Declares Cuban independence –Demands Spain w/draw from the island –Authorizes the president to use force if necessary April 24, 1898 – Spain declares war on the US

9. A Quick Victory US navy attacks the Spanish fleet in the Philippines (a Spanish colony) –To prevent the Spanish fleet there from sailing east to attack the US May 1, 1898 – Commodore George Dewey leads his squadron into Manila Bay in the Philippines –They open fire and rapidly destroy the severely outgunned Spanish warships

10. On The Way Dewey’s victory was so quick that the army was not ready to send troops yet They quickly assembled 20,000 troops to sail to the Philippines –On the way the troops seized the island of Guam – another Spanish possession in the Pacific

11. Guerilla War While waiting on the army Dewey called on Emilio Aguinaldo for help –Aguinaldo – a Filipino revolutionary leader –He launched a guerilla war against Spain Aguinaldo b/l the Americans were his allies but American troops would prove otherwise

12. US Gets the Philippines Once the US Army arrived they seized the Philippine capital of Manila –The army then refused Aguinaldo’s forces into the city –They also refused to recognized his rebel govt. Hostility b/w the Filipinos and the US b/g to grow

13. US Troops in Cuba June 14, 1898 – 17,000 troops land in Cuba near the city of Santiago –Their goal – capture the shore-based guns in Santiago Harbor –Drive the Spanish fleet out of the harbor and into battle w/ the American fleet nearby Among the arriving troops advancing toward Santiago was the Rough Riders

14. Rough Riders The Rough Riders were a… –Volunteer cavalry unit from the American West –Flamboyant mix of cowboys, miners, and law officers who fought in Cuba Theodore Roosevelt was second in command in the Rough Riders cavalry –He had resigned from his post as assistant secretary of the navy to join the fight

15. All Black Units Accompanying the Rough Riders were the 9 th and 10 th Calvary Regiments This was an all-black regiment Roughly ¼ of the US troops fighting in Cuba were African Americans 4 black soldiers received the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the war

16. US Wins US troops head for Santiago The Spanish commander ordered the Spanish fleet in Santiago harbor to flee July 3, 1898 – Spanish ships flee the harbor and US warships attack them –The US sank or beached every Spanish vessel August 12, 1898 Spain and US agree to a cease fire