1. The Changing Nation Part 2Part 2

2. The Spanish American War The country of Cuba had been ruled by the Spanish. The Cuban people wanted to be free from Spanish rule and rebelled. The country of Cuba had been ruled by the Spanish. The Cuban people wanted to be free from Spanish rule and rebelled. America supported the Cubans. Some American’s had money invested in Cuba and also had sympathy for the rebels. America supported the Cubans. Some American’s had money invested in Cuba and also had sympathy for the rebels.

3. The US battleship MAINE exploded in Cuba’s harbor. US newspapers reported that Spain had bombed the ship causing it to sink. As a result, Congress declared war on Spain. (This may not be true as it was probably caused by an accident on the ship.) The US battleship MAINE exploded in Cuba’s harbor. US newspapers reported that Spain had bombed the ship causing it to sink. As a result, Congress declared war on Spain. (This may not be true as it was probably caused by an accident on the ship.) 2 years after Cuba rebelled against Spain, the US joined the war. 2 years after Cuba rebelled against Spain, the US joined the war.

4. Almost 1 million Americans volunteered to fight in the war. Theodore Roosevelt organized a fighting force of cowboys, Native Americans, college athletes, and rich NY’ers. They were called the ROUGH RIDERS. African American soldiers known as Buffalo Soldiers also helped fight the war.

5. Results of the war: US gains control over Spanish territories - Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Cuba gains freedom from Spain.The US becomes a world power.

6. Panama Canal President Theodore Roosevelt wanted a passageway through Central America. President Theodore Roosevelt wanted a passageway through Central America. Roosevelt believed this could help the United States’ military and economic needs. Roosevelt believed this could help the United States’ military and economic needs.

7. The US purchased a strip of land from Panama to build a canal. The US purchased a strip of land from Panama to build a canal. It would cut the trip from the one ocean (Atlantic) to the other (Pacific) from a few months to days. It would cut the trip from the one ocean (Atlantic) to the other (Pacific) from a few months to days.

8. Panama agreed to let the US build the canal. Digging started in 1905. Panama agreed to let the US build the canal. Digging started in 1905.

9. The 50 mile long Panama Canal was opened for shipping in Aug. 1914. Steamships could pass through the canal between the Atlantic and the Pacific in just a few hours. The 50 mile long Panama Canal was opened for shipping in Aug. 1914. Steamships could pass through the canal between the Atlantic and the Pacific in just a few hours.

10. Native American’s Fight Back The US used the new land of the Great Plains for Rail Roads, growing farms, ranches, and new towns. The US used the new land of the Great Plains for Rail Roads, growing farms, ranches, and new towns. The United States Army moved Native Americans to reservations to give the land to the new settlers. A reservation is land set aside for Indian use. The United States Army moved Native Americans to reservations to give the land to the new settlers. A reservation is land set aside for Indian use. Most moved willingly, but some refused to stay on the reservations Most moved willingly, but some refused to stay on the reservations

11. Chief Sitting Bull of the Lakota refused to make peace with the whites and move to a reservation Colonel George Custer of the US cavalry was sent to defeat Sitting Bull and his tribe.

12. A young warrior named Crazy Horse led the Lakota in a victory at Little Bighorn. A young warrior named Crazy Horse led the Lakota in a victory at Little Bighorn. This was called “Custer’s Last Stand” because Custer was killed along with his entire troop of more than 200 soldiers. This was called “Custer’s Last Stand” because Custer was killed along with his entire troop of more than 200 soldiers.