The Spanish-American War

“Blood on the roadsides, blood in the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood,

blood , blood!” - an excerpt from a newspaper article

in the World describing the Cuban Revolution

Journal Question #1How can yellow journalism influence people’s opinions on foreign policy

issues?

“The Causes of War”

America Supports Cuba

The Cuban Rebellion• Cuban rebels led by Jose Marti took

control of Eastern Cuba from Spain in February 1895 and in September they declared their territory the Republic of Cuba

American Neutrality• The U.S. had significant investments

in, and trade with, Cuba. • President Grover Cleveland asserted

that the U.S. would not take sides in the rebellion

• However, many Americans supported the Cuban rebels’ cause

American Property Destroyed• Cuban rebels staged hit-and-run

raids, burned plantations and sugar mills, tore up railroad tracks, and attacked supply depots

• The rebels hoped that the destruction of American property would lead to American intervention in the war

Spanish Atrocities• To suppress the rebellion, Spain sent

some 200,000 troops to Cuba• In attempt to keep villagers from

aiding the rebels, they herded hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children into “re-concentration camps,” where tens of thousands died from starvation and disease

Yellow Journalism• Reports of the Cuban Revolution

reached Americans through newspapers

• Two fiercely competitive newspapers, the New York Journal and the New York World, generated much of the American support for the rebels through their creatively dramatized stories of Spanish atrocities

Yellow Journalism• The term yellow journalism evolved from

the name of a comic strip character, the Yellow Kid, who was drawn by two different artists in the New York World and the New York Journal at the same time

• The Yellow Kid strips symbolized the competition between the tow newspapers and eventually lent its name to their style of wildly dramatized reporting

The Coming of War

Spanish Concessions• In 1897 President McKinley offered to

help negotiate an end to the conflict but warned the Spanish that the U.S. was considering military intervention

• Spain made some concessions, including the removal of Valeriano Weyler the Governor General of Cuba, however the rebels would not negotiate

The USS Maine Explodes• Spanish loyalists in Cuba responded to

Spain’s concessions with rioting in Cuba’s capital Havana

• Fearing Americans might be in danger, McKinley sent the battleship USS Maine in case they had to be evacuated

• On the evening of February 15, 1898, the Maine was ripped apart by an explosion the battleship sank

Spain Blamed For The Maine• Many Americans, with their anger

stoked by yellow journalism, believed the ship was destroyed by Spanish Agents

• “Remember the Maine!” became the rallying cry for those demanding a declaration of war against Spain

Congress Acts• On April 11, 1898, President McKinley

asked Congress to authorize the use of force against Spain

• One week later, Congress recognized Cuba’s independence, insisted that Spain leave the island, and approved the use of armed force if necessary

Both Sides Declare War• On April 24, 1898, Spain declared

war on the United States• The next day, the United States

officially declared war on Spain

Journal Question #2Do you think if the USS Maine had not been destroyed, the Spanish-American War would not have occurred? Why or why not?

“A War on Two Fronts”

The Course of the War

The War in the Philippines• In early May 1898, an American

naval squadron under the leadership of Commodore George Dewey destroyed the aging Spanish fleet in Manila Bay and seized the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines

The War in Cuba• Destroying the Spanish naval fleet was also a

key aid of America on the second front of the war---Cuba

• To do so, the U.S. landed troops near Santiago, the site of powerful guns that protected the Spanich fleet, in Santiago Harbor

• After the Americans took a village near Santiago and a nearby hill, the Spanish fleet retreated from the harbor and was destroyed by American warships

“An American Empire”

The Lasting Consequences of the War

Potential Overseas Empire• With the defeat of Spain, the U.S.

was given the opportunity to acquire an overseas empire

• Cuba, the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico all came under American control

The Philippines• The Philippines did not want to be

annexed• The debate pitted those who favored

American empire against those who insisted the nation stay true to its republican ideals

Supporters and Opponents• The U.S. Navy was in favor of

annexing the Philippines because they would be able to build a base there, and merchant ships could stop there on the way to East Asia

• As a colony, the Philippines would supply raw materials and consume American-made goods

The Treaty of Paris• President McKinley ultimately decided

to annex the Philippines• On December 10, 1898, the U.S. and

Spain signed the Treaty of Paris• Under the treaty, Cuba became an

independent nation, and the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico and Guam and also agreed to pay Spain $20 million for the Philippines

Platt Amendment• Cuban independence came with a price• American troops would be withdrawn only

after it accepted certain duties and restriction spelled out in the Platt Amendment

• The Platt Amendment also permitted the U.S. to lease or buy lands for the purpose of the establishing naval bases (the main one was Guantanamo Bay) and coaling stations in Cuba

Our Time to Reflect

Journal Question #3Do American actions always match American ideals? To put it another

way; Do our actions always match our ideas?