CH. 17-2 THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

AMERICAN HISTORY

1890s—Only Spanish colonies in western hemisphere are Cuba and Puerto Rico

1868—Cubans launch a series of revolts to Spanish rule

Spain sent leaders of the independence movement into exile

Jose Marti—exiled to NYC in 1878 He promoted independence through

newspaper articles and poetry

SIMMERING UNREST IN CUBA

Marti founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party in 1892

Feb. 1895—another Cuban revolt Marti joined them in April 1895 but

was killed in battle a month later Spain sent soldiers to suppress the

rebels in 1896 Spanish put Cubans into camps to

keep them from aiding the rebels

Nearly 1/3 of people in camps died from starvation and disease

Spanish mistreatment of these people shocked Americans

Many Americans were sympathetic to the Cuban cause

THE MEDIA’S ROLE Most people get their news from daily

or weekly newspapers NYC had as many as 15 newspapers New York Journal—William Randolph

Hearst; New York World—Joseph Pulitzer

AMERICANS GET WAR FEVER

Both papers told scandalous stories and put shocking pictures on their pages

Sensationalist writing became known as YELLOW JOURNALISM

Both papers through their support behind the rebels and didn’t use any Spanish sources for stories

THE EXPLOSION OF THE MAINE Hearst thought the Americans should

intervene in Cuba President William McKinley was

reluctant to involve the USA February 8, 1898—Journal prints a

letter written by Enrique Dupuy de Lome that was acquired by the newspaper

The letter ridiculed McKinley for being “weak and catering to the rabble”

Americans were outraged Americans wanted war with Spain USS Maine was sent to Havana to

protect American lives and property February 15, 1898—Maine

mysteriously blows up killing 260 sailors

Journal accused “an enemy” for the bombing but there was no evidence

Historians believe a fire in the coal room caused the explosion

Americans blamed the Spanish “Remember the Maine” was a

rallying cry Late March—McKinley demands that

Spain give Cuba independence

Spain refused Congress declared war on Spain on

April 25, 1898

Spanish-American War lasted only 4 months

WAR IN THE PHILLIPINES Asst. Navy Secretary Roosevelt had sent

orders to Commodore George Dewey to attack Spanish fleet in the Philippines if war broke out

Dewey rushed to Manila Bay May 1, 1898—Spanish open fire but US is

out of range

THE COURSE OF THE WAR

Dewey did not want to waste ammunition because resupply was 7000 miles away

American navy had boats with iron and steel hulls

Heavy damage inflicted on the wooden Spanish ships

All Spanish ships were on fire and sinking No US casualties but 400 injured or killed

on Spanish side in the Battle of Manila Bay

Next move was to attack Manila with the help of rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo

US sailors remained in the bay but cut off Spanish forces

Spanish forces in Manila surrendered on August 14, 1898

THE WAR IN CUBA TELLER AMENDMENT—After Cuba freed itself,

the USA would leave the government and control of the island to its people

Victory in Cuba was more difficult than first thought

US War Dept. was not as prepared as they should have been

Soldiers had woolen uniforms for a summer war

Mess pans-tin plates issued to soldiers—left over from the Civil War

Canned meat in Cuba was so sickening it was called “embalmed beef”

Most soldiers were enlisted, but some were volunteers

Most famous volunteers were ROUGH RIDERS—a group organized by Teddy Roosevelt

US strategy was to capture Santiago by controlling the hills surrounding the city

July 1—soldiers work to control the hills Rough Riders gained control of one hill in

the BATTLE OF SAN JUAN HILL

For their heroic actions, 6 soldiers, including Roosevelt, were awarded the Medal of Honor

July 3—US Navy sank the entire Spanish fleet in Cuba

Two weeks later—Spanish troops surrendered

Soon after, the US defeated Spanish forces in Puerto Rico

CONSEQUENCES OF THE WAR Spain had to give up all claims to Cuba and

cede the Puerto Rico and the island of Guam to the US.

Spain turned over control of the Philippines to the US for $20 million

The war cost the US $250 million and some 2000 soldiers died from Yellow Fever

US now considered an imperialist nation Within a year it would acquire the Pacific island

of Samoa

ARGUMENTS FOR ANNEXATION Duty to spread US values overseas McKinley though we should “educate, uplift,

civilize, and Christianize the Filipinos” Others saw the islands as an economic and

strategic place to refuel/resupply ships People didn’t want the islands to fall into the

hands of other countries such as Germany or Japan

ANNEXATING THE PHILIPPINES

OPPONENTS’ VIEWS Some felt the annexation would violate

the ideal of self-government These people formed the Anti-

Imperialist League in June 1898 Some people thought annexation would

lead to a flood of new immigrants Samuel Gompers (AFL) believed this

would hurt American workers

AMERICAN RULE February 6, 1899—US Senate narrowly

approved annexation treaty Emilio Aguinaldo threatened military

action if the US tried to assume control Fighting broke out for 3 years Finally Aguinaldo was captured Final casualties—US--4,000, Filipinos--

220,000 (mainly from disease)

Stated goal of the US was to prepare the Philippines for independence

US appointed a governor Filipinos were allowed to select the lower

house of the legislature 1916—Voters won the right to select both

houses JULY 4, 1946—Philippines granted full

independence from the USA THE END