1. The Spanish-American War

2. Simmering Unrest in Cuba Spain had lost all colonies except Cuba & Philippines Cuba launched revolts against Spanish rule Many Cuban leaders were exiled, like Jose Marti to NYC Marti returned to Cuba in 1895 to fight, but died In 1896, Spain sent Gen. Valeriano Weyler to stop rebels -Weyler forced 1000s of Cuban civilians into camps -1/3 of them died in the camps from disease or starving Americans were shocked & had already believed the Cuban cause was similar to the American Revolution

3. War Fever At this time, most people read newspapers to get news Most widely read were New York Journal (Wm. Randolph Hearst) and New York World (Joseph Pulitzer) -Both used scandalous stories & put shocking illustrations across their pages -This style of sensational reporting became known as yellow journalism USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor Feb. 15, 1898 -260 American sailors were killed -NY Journal blamed Spain, although no evidence -American public demanded war against Spain

4. War in the Philippines Comm. George Dewey ordered to prepare to attack the Spanish navy in the Philippines (May 1, 1898 begins) Captain Gridley led the flagship Olympia into battle -America -modern iron ships; Spain – old wooden ships -US wins without any casualties; Spain has 400 Now Dewey prepares to attack Manila, the capital -partners with Filipino patriot leader Emilio Aguinaldo -Aguinaldos army captures Manila Aug. 14, 1898, the Spanish forces in Philippines surrender

5. War in Cuba Challenges- US soldiers given woolen uniforms, canned meat was called “embalmed beef” Rough Riders- led by Teddy Roosevelt; actually fought as foot soldiers, since had to leave their horses in US Plan was to capture port of Santiago by first taking the surrounding hills 8,000 US soldiers fought to control Kettle & San Juan hills -charge led by T.R.’s Rough Riders & experienced Afr. Amer. Soldiers known as “Buffalo Soldiers” July 3, US navy sank entire Spanish fleet off coast of Cuba in the Battle of Santiago Soon after, Spanish surrender in Cuba & Puerto Rico

6. Consequences of the War Spanish gave up Cuba; gave Puerto Rico & Guam to US -also control of Philippines given to US for $20 million US now was an imperialist nation with new bases for trade and for resupplying its navy By 1899, the US would seize the Pacific island of Samoa

7. Annexing the Philippines Some in US wanted to educate Filipinos & Christianize them; others wanted their economic & strategic value Others felt that annexation violated the American principle of self-government we were founded on After hot debate, Senate approves it on Feb. 6, 1899 Filipino nationalists were furious & war breaks out between Filipinos and the US – lasts 3 years US is “preparing the islands for independence” July 4, 1946 – US gives Philippines their independence