Becoming a World Power - Spanish American War and the Panama Canal
Transcript of Becoming a World Power - Spanish American War and the Panama Canal
The United States
ExpandsBy the 1890s Spain’s only presence in the Western Hemisphere was on the islands of Puerto Rico and Cuba.In 1895 the people of Cuba began a revolt. Thousands
were either jailed or killed by Spanish troops.Many Americans became sympathetic to the
cause of the Cubans
Read TB pages 374-377
The Spanish American WarOn February 15, 1898, the American battleship USS Maine, which
had been sent to Havana, Cuba, to protect Americans, mysteriously exploded and sunk killing 260 sailors.
Read TB pages 376
The Spanish American War
Read TB Page 376
New York City newspapers reported that Spain was responsible for the sinking of the battleship. There was never any proof of this, but
“Remember the Maine” became the country’s battle cry. In April of 1898, Congress declared war on Spain
The articles inflamed public opinion against the rule of colonial Spain. The articles were an example of yellow journalism.
Yellow
Journalism
Theodore Roosevelt resigned his position as the Secretary of the Navy and assembled a group of volunteers to fight the Spanish in Cuba.
These volunteers, including former Civil War soldiers and cowboys, were known as the Rough Riders.
The Spanish American War
African American cavalries known as the “Buffalo Soldiers” joined the Rough Riders.
The “Buffalo Soldiers” had been responsible for
protecting settlers during the Plains Wars.
The Spanish American WarOn July 1, 1898, Theodore Roosevelt led the Rough Riders and the
“Buffalo Soldiers” against the Spanish in the Battle of San Juan Hill
On July 17, the leader of the Spanish military commander surrendered and the war was
essentially over.
Results of the Spanish American War:Cuba gained its independence
PhilippinesGuamPuerto Rico
The United States gained control of:
The western most territory
of the US
Theodore RooseveltFollowing the assassination of President McKinley in 1901,
Theodore Roosevelt became President at the age of 42
He’s the youngest person to ever hold the office of President
Theodore Roosevelt biography: TB259
Political Cartoon
The Panama CanalThe Spanish-American War had shown the need for a shorter water passage between the east coast and the
west coast of the United States.
After helping Panama gain its independence from Columbia in 1903, the United States purchased a 10 mile wide strip of land through
which the Panama Canal was built.
This narrow strip of land is an isthmus.
The Panama CanalThe Spanish-American War had shown the need for a shorter water passage between the east coast and the
west coast of the United States.
After helping Panama gain its independence from Columbia in 1903, the United States purchased a 10 mile wide strip of land through
which the Panama Canal was built.
This narrow strip of land is an isthmus.
The Building of the Panama Canal had its Challenges:
• thick rain forests• the countries’ wetlands• diseases such as malaria and yellow fever• Dr. William Gorgas was hired to find a way to help protect
workers from these diseases which were carried by mosquitoes.• By 1906,the area was thought to be safe enough to bring in
workers• Over 40,000 men worked on the Panama Canal over a period of
seven years. 5,609 died either from disease or accidents.
Read TB pages 377
Effects of Building of the Panama Canal:
Allowed American ships to travel from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific more quickly
Strengthened America’s image as a world power
Contributed to America’s Military might
Panama Canal
opened in 1914