The Spanish American War

1898The US continues to “look out” after gaining territory

from Spain

Cuba• Spain controlled Cuba

since the 1400s• Cuban rebels were

trying to free Cuba• Many Americans were

sympathetic with the Cuban Rebels

• Some Americans had invested in the sugar

industry in Cuba

Spain attempted to crush the Cuban

Rebels! Spanish General Weyler was sent to end the

rebellion Weyler destroyed sugar plantations and put

Cubans in concentration camps Many Americans felt sorry for the Cubans

and felt their cause was similar to our revolution against England.

“Butcher Weyler” as he became known said “I love animals more than humans”

Weyler had approximately 300,000 Cubans moved into the camps with little food or water

War Fever in the US Yellow Journalism- “You furnish

the pictures, I’ll furnish the war” News stories about Cuba

“whipped up” public opinion in the US

Some of the stories were exaggerated

Both President Cleveland and McKinley wanted to avoid a war with Spain

A Spanish diplomat wrote a letter insulting President McKinley. The letter was published in US newspapers angering Americans even more

Many Americans wanted war…either to help the Cuban Rebels or to protect sugar companies or both

The Teller Amendment

USS MAINE The Battleship Maine moved

into Havana Harbor to show support for the Cubans

On February 15, 1898 the battleship USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor killing 274

“Remember the Maine to H*%$ with Spain” becomes the battle cry across the U.S.

Spain denied causing the Maine explosion (now we know that to be true)

The War itself

The US declares war on April 25, 1898 On May 1, the US Navy destroyed the

Spanish Navy sitting in the Philippine Islands and trapped other Spanish ships parked in Cuba (Teddy Roosevelt was US Secretary of the Navy)

In June, US troops landed in Cuba Teddy Roosevelt resigned his political post

and helped organize a cavalry regiment known as the “Rough Riders”

The Rough Riders

• Were made up of Americans from a variety of backgrounds

• Cowboys, Harvard Graduates, Native Americans, Hispanics

• There were no African Americans as they were still segregated

(Buffalo Soldiers)• Teddy Roosevelt’s legend grows

as one of their officers

• They are famous as cavalry but actually fought on foot

• The Rough Riders and Buffalo Soldiers capture San Juan and

Kettle Hill

Spain surrenders in July 1898

The Treaty of Paris officially ends the war on December 10, 1899

There are 3,289 US deaths

2,957 died from disease the rest were killed by bullets(352)

Spain granted freedom to Cuba

The Platt Amendment (see Wiki)

The US received Puerto Rico, Guam, Wake Island and purchased the Philippines from Spain