Causes of the Spanish American War

1898

Humanitarian Concerns

• Stories of cruel treatment of Cubans by the Spanish – poverty, starvation, imprisonment

• Use of “reconcentration camps” by Spain led to the death of many innocent Cubans

• U.S. can’t help but be involved – “tugged at the heartstrings of the people”

Economic Concerns

• Many U.S. business interests in Cuba were disrupted by war (banks, sugar plantations, hotels)

• The on-going civil war in Cuba was costing American businesses money

Yellow Journalism

• U.S. newspapers ran exaggerated stories of the events in Cuba to increase circulation – blood, guts, & gory details sold papers

• Many stories sensationalized the events but Americans believed them to be true

• Public opinion → Anti-Spain

The DeLôme Letter

• Letter from Spanish official “leaked” to the press

• Critical of President McKinley – called him “weak”, a “would-be politician” and a jingoist (aggressive nationalist)

• Considered an insult to the president & the nation

• Chances for peaceful negotiations were unlikely

Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor

• 268 American sailors died• “State of the Art” American ship

destroyed• Uncertain of how it happened:

Spain attacked ?Boiler blew up ?Cubans sabotaged ?

“Spain must be responsible”

• After hearing all the horrible things Spain had done

• American people didn’t want to wait for investigation

• Jumped to conclusion

Immediate cause of War: The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine

Newspapers told the story

Results of the Spanish American War

• Treaty of Paris (1898)• Cuba → Independent• Platt Amendment to Cuban

Constitution makes Cuba a protectorate of the U.S.

• Puerto Rico & Guam ceded to U.S.• Philippines sold to U.S. ($20 million)

Importance

• U.S. becomes a World Power with Colonies

• U.S. interests stretch around the world