Spanish American War

The Splendid Little WarApril 25-August 12, 1898

The Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War (1898):(1898):

“That Splendid Little War”“That Splendid Little War”

The Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War (1898):(1898):

“That Splendid Little War”“That Splendid Little War”

Reasons for the Spanish American War

• Protection of American business interests in Cuba

• American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain

• Rising tensions as a result of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor

• Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders

• Exaggerated news reports of events (Yellow Journalism)

Spanish American WarSpanish American War

American SupportAmerican Support

- - GovernmentGovernment remained remained neutralneutral (until (until the the Maine Maine incident).incident).

- Public - Public supportedsupported Cuban rebels Cuban rebels (openly). (openly).

- gun smuggling- gun smuggling

- - Yellow Journalism Yellow Journalism (exaggeration to (exaggeration to attract readers). attract readers).

Yellow Journalism

• Newspapers, competing for sales, exaggerated stories of the horrors of Cuban life under oppressive Spanish rule.

Maine• The  battleship was sent to Cuba to show American

concern over Spanish actions and support for the Cuban rebels.

• The Maine had been in Havana Harbor three weeks • One night the battleship blew up & sank, killing 266

men.  • The American press immediately blamed the Spanish,

though there was no evidence that the Spanish were responsible.

• President William McKinley was pressured by Congress into asking for a declaration of war.

Remember the MaineRemember the Maineand to H**l with Spain!and to H**l with Spain!Remember the MaineRemember the Maineand to H**l with Spain!and to H**l with Spain!

Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

Yellow

journalism

Spanish American War---Spanish American War---CUBACUBA

• Rough Riders; Rough Riders; miners, law officers and miners, law officers and cowboyscowboys (Teddy Roosevelt). (Teddy Roosevelt).

• Buffalo Soldiers; Buffalo Soldiers; African American Army African American Army Cavalry Cavalry regiment sent to help the regiment sent to help the American war efforts in Cuba.American war efforts in Cuba.

• A A cease fire cease fire was agreed on was agreed on August 12, August 12, 1898.1898.

The The “Rough “Rough Riders”Riders”

The The “Rough “Rough Riders”Riders”

Theodore Roosevelt

The Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War (1898):(1898):

“Philippine Arena”“Philippine Arena”

The Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War (1898):(1898):

“Philippine Arena”“Philippine Arena”

Spanish American War--Spanish American War--PhilippinesPhilippines

• Commodore George Dewey and Filipino revolutionary led by Emilio Aquinaldo, team up and take out the Spanish control.

• The Americans then turn on the revolutionaries (Why? For a place to set up business/trade and a refueling station for the Navy…)

Dewey Captures Manila!Dewey Captures Manila!Dewey Captures Manila!Dewey Captures Manila!

Results of the Spanish American War

Treaty of Paris 1898 ends the war. • 1. The United States emerged as

a WORLD POWER.• 2. Cuba gained independence

from Spain.• 3. The United States gained

possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.