Post on 29-Dec-2015
Spanish-American War, 1898
Libertyville HS
The Situation in Cuba• Cuba is Spain’s last
colony in the Western Hemisphere
• Spain’s rule was harsh (200k Cubans dead)
• US interests– Heavy investment in
sugar ($50 million)– Strategic location of
island– Empathy for Cuban
people
Factors Leading to War• Yellow Journalism
– Greatly exaggerated stories used to sell newspapers
– Joseph Pulitzer & the New York World
– William Randolph Hearst & the New York Morning Journal
– Public gets very lopsided view of situation
Factors Leading to War• The de Lome Letter
– Spanish Ambassador to US
– Writes private letter about McKinley
– Letter is stolen, published– Americans angry!
• Sinking of the Maine, 2/15/98– Battleship sent to protect
US citizens– Maine story– 160 sailors killed
War Declared!• Spain willing to work for
peace• McKinley caved to
public, congressional pressure
• Declaration of War– US claimed to be backing
up Cuban people– Teller Amendment: not
intent of US to annex Cuba
“A Splendid Little War”
• Admiral Dewey (Pacific)– Sail to Philippines,
defeat Spanish
• Combat in Cuba– TR and the “Rough
Riders”– Storming of San
Juan Hill– 400 deaths in battle,
2500 of disease
Treaty of Paris (1898)• Spain gives up Cuba,
Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, Wake Islands to US
• US pays Spain $20 million
• Significance, for US– US gets an empire!– US gets bases in Pacific– European powers
recognize US’ rise
America, the Empire• US annex Cuba,
Philippines, Puerto Rico– Cuba: US forced Platt
Amendment on Cubans• US controlled FP• Permanent US military base• Pro US govt’s for next 60
years
– Philippines: rebellion vs. US • 4000 KIA vs 16k rebels &
200k civilians• Independence only after
WWII ends
America, the Empire
• Puerto Rico– Military rule for 1.5
years– Foraker Act
• Est. Civilian gov’t w/ US president appointing governor, exec council
• PRs elected legislature
– 1952: PR became a commonwealth