Spanish American War 1898

Cuban Rebellion 1895-1898Spain smashed and

defeated a Cuban Rebellion forcing Jose Marti to flee to the U.S. to gather money, arms, and troops.In 1895, Marti returned to Cuba and led a revoltMany people including Marti died.

Jose MartiCuban Rebel Leader

Cuban RebellionSpain put 300,000 civilians in concentration camps American newspapers began writing exaggerated claims of Spanish brutality towards Cubans that became known as Yellow Journalism -exaggerated news to lure new readers.

The Spanish-American War 1898

3 Reasons U.S. enters War1. Yellow journalism2. DeLome Letter -Spanish ambassador claims Pres. McKinley is “weak”3. The U.S.S. Maine mysteriously blows up in Havana and the U.S. blames Spain

Yellow Journalism

Two New York Journalists race to sell the most papers.Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst publish lies and half/truths about the war to sell the most papers.

William Randolph Hearst

Joseph Pulitzer

Spanish – American War 1898

President Grover Cleveland opposed U.S. intervention.When William McKinley became President he too looked to keep the U.S. out of the war, but events would take place that would get us involved.

De Lôme LetterThe De Lôme letter, a note written by Señor Don Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, the Spanish Ambassador to the United States, to the Foreign Minister in Spain.

This letter was intercepted by Cuban Rebellions and given to William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal.

In this personal letter De Lôme, describes President McKinley as a weak president with NO BACKBONE.

De Lôme Letter

President McKinley wanted to ignore the letter (Sticks and Stones), but Hearst wanted to sell newspapers and published the letter.

Angry Americans began demanding WAR!!!!

Remember the Maine

After rioting broke out in the Cuban Capital of Havana, President McKinley sent the battleship U.S.S. Maine to protect American citizens and property.

Battleship – U.S.S. Maine

Remember the MaineAfter three weeks the ship exploded and sunk in Havana Harbor killing about 260 officers and crew.American Newspapers blamed the Spanish and the slogan “Remember The Maine” became a rallying cry for revenge and war against Spain.When negotiations failed to ease American concerns Congress recognized Cuban independence. On April 25, 1898 Congress declared war on Spain.

Sunken U.S.S. MaineHavana Harbor

The Spanish – American War“The Splendid Little War”

The Spanish fleet entered the harbor of Santiago in Cuba on May 19, 1898.An American naval force trapped the Spanish in the harbor and blockaded the coast.An American land force of 17,000, one quarter of which was African American landed near the city.Much of the U.S. force was ill-equipped yet, they joined forces with the Cuban rebels and engaged the Spanish.

Teller AmendmentCongress agreed to declare war on Spain, but only after adopting the Teller Amendment that made it clear that the United States would not acquire Cuba.

The trick was nothing was said about Puerto Rico, Guam or the Philippines.

The Spanish – American War“The Splendid Little War”

Teddy Roosevelt had resigned his position as Secretary of the Navy to join the fighting in Cuba. He led the 1st. Regiment of U.S. Cavalry Volunteers known as the Rough Riders. (actually steals ship to take them to Cuba)On July 1, the Rough Riders along with African American soldiers of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries, joined in the Battle of San Juan Hill.

The Spanish – American War“The Splendid Little War”

The Americans captured San Juan Hill after intense fighting. This led to a Spanish attempt at retreat by breaking out of the blockade of Santiago, after a four hour battle the Spanish fleet was destroyed. This ended Spanish resistance in Cuba.

The Spanish American War in the Pacific

On May 1, 1898 Commodore George Dewey launched a surprise attack on the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay destroying most of the ships.American troops arrived in July and helped Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aquinaldo

Philippine-American WarThe U.S. gained possession of the Philippines after the war which, led to anti-imperialist debates at home and a new rebellion in the Philippines against the new American colonial rulers.

Filipinos were outraged when U.S. did not grant independence.War lasted for 3 years 1899 to 190220,000 Filipinos died4,000 U.S. troops died

Philippine-American War

Gradually the U.S. gave back more and more authority, but the Philippines did not gain full Independence from the United States until 1946.

American AcquisitionsThe U.S. and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris on Dec. 10, 1898 marking an end to the war.

Cuba became a U.S. protectorate (an independent country under control of another country)

Puerto Rico and Guam became territories of the U.S.

Spain also surrendered the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million

Platt AmendmentIn 1901, the U.S. granted Cuba independence but only if their new constitution included concessions to the U.S. known as the Platt Amendment.

The amendment prohibited Cuba from making treaties with other nations and gave America control of the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay. The U.S. could also interfere in Cuban affairs if the countries independence was threatened.

“The Splendid Little War”Secretary of State John Hay called the Spanish American War “a splendid little war.”

The war lasted four months and 400 Americans died.

More than 2000 additional died from tropical diseases like yellow fever and malaria and food poisoning from canned meat donated by American businesses.

African Americans faced discrimination and segregation in the military battling alongside the Cuban rebel army where black and white troops fought as equals.

Secretary of StateJohn Hay