The SpanishThe Spanish--American War American War

(1898):(1898):

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

Chapter 18.2Chapter 18.2

The SpanishThe Spanish--American War American War

(1898):(1898):

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

Chapter 18.2Chapter 18.2

Spanish Empire Lost

• Spain had lost most of its former Empire by 1825.

Spanish Empire Lost

• The territory they retained was:– The Philippines– The Islands of Guam– Cuba– Puerto Rico

• The US had long sought to take over Cuba – since the Civil War.

Cuban Political Instability

• 1868-1878 – the first war for Cuban Independence– Cubans forced the Spanish to abolish slavery

in 1886 but were not able to achieve independence.

Spanish Misrule in CubaSpanish Misrule in CubaSpanish Misrule in CubaSpanish Misrule in Cuba

Cuban Political Instability

• The Cuban economy depended on sugar production!– Americans invested heavily in production

capacity.– 1884 the US abolishes its tariff on Cuban

sugar, causes production to SOAR!– 1894 the US restores high tariffs on Cuban

sugar causing economic ruin on the island.

Cuban Political Instability• 1895 – Cubans launch the

second war for independence– Jose Marti – was a

journalist in NY who was exiled by the Spanish government in Cuba – he helped launch the second revolt.

– Marti organized his units and used guerilla tactics; he also specifically begins to target US sugar plantations.

Cuban Political Instability– America became divided over the issue:

• Businessmen – wanted to protect American investments.

• Other American’s were enthusiastic about the Revolution.

Spain Attempts to Subdue Rebels

• Valeriano Weyler – was the Spanish general put in charge of restoring order in Cuba.

• Weyler instituted a policy of “reconcentration” – moving large populations into concentration camps where an estimated 300,000 died from hunger and disease.

Valeriano Weyler’s Valeriano Weyler’s “Reconcentration” Policy“Reconcentration” Policy

Valeriano Weyler’s Valeriano Weyler’s “Reconcentration” Policy“Reconcentration” Policy

Valeriano Weyler’s Valeriano Weyler’s “Reconcentration” Policy“Reconcentration” Policy

Valeriano Weyler’s Valeriano Weyler’s “Reconcentration” Policy“Reconcentration” Policy

Valeriano Weyler’s Valeriano Weyler’s “Reconcentration” Policy“Reconcentration” Policy

Valeriano Weyler’s Valeriano Weyler’s “Reconcentration” Policy“Reconcentration” Policy

Yellow Journalism

• The two newspaper titans (Hearst and Pulitzer) continued to fight their circulation war. – Stories appeared in the newspapers about

how the Spanish were poisoning drinking wells, and of children being thrown to sharks.

Yellow Journalism

• Yellow Journalism –reporting that exaggerates the news to lure new readers.

Yellow Journalism• Hearst and Pulitzer sent

reporters to Cuba to report on the fighting; their movements were restricted by the Spanish. – They often wrote about

battles that never happened while they were sitting in bars.

– Hearst send an artist to illustrate reports’ stories.

Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer

William Randolph HearstWilliam Randolph Hearst

Hearst to Frederick Remington:Hearst to Frederick Remington:You furnish the pictures,You furnish the pictures,and I’ll furnish the war!and I’ll furnish the war!

The De Lome Letter• President McKinley wanted to

avoid war; he sought to avoid intervention through diplomacy.

• The Spanish recall Weyler, end their policy of “reconcentration,” and offer Cuba limited self-government.

• Spanish Ambassador De Lome, in a private letter, criticized President McKinley, describing him as “weak” and a “crowd pleaser.”

Explosion of the USS Maine• The USS Maine was

sent to Cuba to “protect American lives and property.”

• February 15, 1898 an explosion sinks the USS Maine. 260 of the 350 crewmembers were killed in the explosion.

Explosion of the USS Maine

• The cause of the explosion remains unknown but there are theories:– 1898 – the explosion was caused by a

Spanish mine– 1976 – a study determined that an internal

explosion in the coal bunkers had caused the initial blast.

Explosion of the USS Maine

• Newspapers blamed Spain for the sinking of the Maine. – Headline: THE WARSHIP MAINE WAS SPLIT

IN TWO BY ENEMY’S SECRET INFERNAL MACHINE.

– Hearst offers a $50,000 reward for the capture of the Spanish who had committed “this outrage.”

War Breaks Out• “Remember the

Maine!” became the war-cry.

• The Spanish had agreed (by April 19) to almost everything the Americans had demanded, including a cease-fire.

Remember the MaineRemember the Maineand to Hell with Spain!and to Hell with Spain!Remember the MaineRemember the Maineand to Hell with Spain!and to Hell with Spain!

Funeral for Mainevictims in HavanaFuneral for Mainevictims in Havana

War Breaks Out

• April 11, President McKinley asks Congress for the power to use force against Spain in order to bring peace to Cuba. April 20th Congress declared war against Spain.

War Breaks Out

• The Philippines:– The first battle of

the war took place in the Philippines.

The SpanishThe Spanish--American War (1898):American War (1898):“That Splendid Little War”“That Splendid Little War”

The SpanishThe Spanish--American War (1898):American War (1898):“That Splendid Little War”“That Splendid Little War”

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

War Breaks Out– Teddy Roosevelt

(Secretary of the Navy at the time) ordered the US Pacific Fleet to the Philippines.

– May 1st Admiral George Dewey arrives in Manila Bay and destroyed the Spanish fleet in harbor.

Is He To Be a Despot?Is He To Be a Despot?Is He To Be a Despot?Is He To Be a Despot?

Our “Sphere of Influence”Our “Sphere of Influence”Our “Sphere of Influence”Our “Sphere of Influence”

Imperialist Uncle Sam

Emilio AguinaldoEmilio AguinaldoEmilio AguinaldoEmilio Aguinaldo

LLeader of the Filipinoeader of the FilipinoUprising.Uprising.

July 4, 1946:July 4, 1946:Philippine independencePhilippine independence

US Forces Invade Cuba• Conditions facing soldiers

in Cuba– Short of supplies– Poorly trained (there was a

rush to land troops)– Soldiers were issues

obsolete weapons– Issued heavy wool uniforms

– not ideal for the tropical weather in Cuba

US Forces Invade Cuba• American forces

consisted of:– National Guard Units– Regular Army units

(including African American units from the West)

– Roosevelt organized a volunteer unit he named the Rough Riders.

US Forces Invade Cuba• June 1898 – US

Marines land in Cuba.– Marines capture

Guantanamo Bay– 17,000 Marines march

on Santiago• The Spanish army

surrenders following the disastrous attempt by the Spanish Navy to escape the American blockade.

US Invades Puerto Rico

• Following the end of fighting in Cuba, US forces attacked Puerto Rico, where a few small battles took place before the Spanish surrendered in PR.

• Toll of the war:– 3,000 American soldiers died (mostly caused

from disease – yellow fever and malaria)– 380 died in combat

Effects of the Spanish-American War

• The Treaty of Paris – ended the Spanish-American War in December 1898.– Spain surrendered Cuba, Puerto Rico, and

Guam to America. – The Philippines were sold to the US for $20

million.

US Involvement in PR• Not all PR wanted independence

from America after the Spanish-American War.– The US never promised

independence• US forces under General Nelson

promised that they were “here to help.”– Most in the Army doubted that the

Puerto Ricans could govern themselves.

Foraker Act• Puerto Rico was important to the US for

two reasons:– Controlling PR meant controlling the Caribbean

Islands. – It was strategically located to the future site of

the Panama Canal.

Foraker Act

• 1900 – the Congress passed the Foraker Act– Denied citizenship to Puerto Ricans– Gave the President the power to appoint PR

Governor and members of the upper house• Only Puerto Ricans could elect members of the

lower house

Cuban Problems

• After the Treaty of Paris, Cuba was still under direct US control – even though it was to be granted independence.

• Many Cubans protested the lack of movement toward independence – they were imprisoned or exiled.

• The US assisted Cubans with building farms and businesses following the war.

The Platt Amendment• In 1900, the Cuban

government created a Constitution – a noticeable absence was the relationship between the new government and the US. – The US government insisted

on what became known as the Platt Amendment.

The Platt Amendment

• The Platt Amendment said the following:– Cuba could NOT make any treaty with any

foreign countries that give up its independence or any territory.

– The US had the right to intercede to help preserve Cuban independence.

– Cuba was forbidden to go into debt. – The US could buy or lease Cuban land for

naval bases.

The Platt Amendment• Many were angered by the Platt

Amendment’s provisions and many wanted to go to war to prevent it from becoming law.

• They eventually gave in and accepted the Platt Amendment.

• Cuba became a US PROTECTORATE. – Cuba became important to the US economy:

• Sugar, Tobacco, and Mining predominantly