7.2: The Spanish-American War

America’s empire grows with the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, the

Philippines, and Cuba

A. America and Cuba

1. Why was U.S. so interested in Cuba?

2. Sugar cane plantations = big business; major buyer

3. US impose tariffs (fees/taxes)= ruined economy for Cuba/Spain

4. Jose Martia. Cuban rebel lived in NYb. wanted independence from

Spainc. First attempt failed; second

did not =d. Republic of Cuba, 1895

B. America Supports Rebels

1. William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer

a. newspaper owners

b. stories about treatment of Cubans

2. Used Yellow journalism-

a. exaggerated news =

b. Amer. support of Cubans

c. “Cubans fed to sharks”

3. Spanish Gen. Weyler “The Butcher” – placed thousands of Cubans in concentration camps

C. More reasons to support Cuba1. Pres. McKinley send USS

Maine to Havana in case Spanish loyalist attack Americans in Cuba

2. The De Lome letter, by Spanish ambassador, criticizes Pres. McKinley as “weak”

3. USS Maine battleship explodes; Spain blamed

4. Jingoism – aggressive nationalism, supports war

5. April 19, 1898 “lets get ready to rumbllllllllllllle”

D. War on Two Fronts

1. U.S. declares war on Spain

a. First battle, in Philippines; Spanish colony; wanted independence from Spain

b. Helped by rebel Emilio Aguinaldo

2. Spain surrenders to Americans not Philippines!

Emilio Aguinaldo

Commander George Dewey

E. Invasion of Cuba & PR

1. USa. Blockade by US successful

b. Army was not; poor training, food, & uniforms

2. Rough Ridersa. 2nd in command: TR

b. Given credit for San Juan Hill victory

c. 9th & 10th Calvary: all AA– 25% of all Amer. soldiers in

Cuba

3. PR falls soon after

Rough Riders

F. What to do with the Philippines?

1. Supporters of annexing Philippines

a. Educate and christianize them; “civilized”

b. Market for Amer. Goods

c. Naval base

2. Opponentsa. Job competition in

US

b. Racial tension

c. Too expensive

d. It’s immoral

G. Treaty of Paris 1898

a. Cuba independent

b. PR and Guam annexed by US

c. Philippines sold for $20 million

H. Platt Amendment1. Conditions added to the

Cuban constitution. a. Not get into debtb. No treaties w/other country c. Allowed US to

intervene/protect when necessary

d. build naval station on land; Guantanamo Bay

2. Protectorate – country whose affairs are partially controlled by a stronger country

3. Repealed 1934

I. Puerto Rico (PR)

1. wanted it’s independence

2. US did not give it, but gives them citizenships in 1917

3. Foraker Act (1900) establishes gov’t in PR

J. Philippine-American WarEmilio Aguinaldo

1. Upset US took over after Spain2. Revolted against US

a. three year war b. US used same tactics as Spain against Cubac. Cost of war $400m; US paid $20m!!

3. US controls from 1902-19464. William Taft, appt. Gov., increased schools,

hospitals, roads5. Independence gained July 4,1946