spanish american war steps to u.s. involvement. american interest in cuba geographic location (90...
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Spanish American War
Steps to U.S. Involvement
American interest in Cuba
• Geographic Location (90 mi. south of FL) – Panama Canal a
possibility– Spanish Colony – too
close for comfort
• Business Investments– Large sugar cane
plantations ($50 mil. – 1895)
Cubans Rebel Against Spain
• 1st revolt (1868-1878) – unsuccessful• Spanish Gov’t in Cuba
– Corrupt, no reforms, no self-gov’t for Cuba
• 2nd Revolt led to War for Independence (1895)– Jose Marti – organized Cuban resistance– “Cuba Libre!” – Free Cuba– Guerilla campaign
• Hit & run, scorched earth policy – Destroyed American-owned sugar mills & plantations
• Hoped to provoke US into intervening to help the rebels
Second War for Independence
• Spanish Response – Send 200,000 troops &
General Weyler “The Butcher” to crush rebellion
– Atrocities against Cuban people
• Put peasants in concentration camps
• Kill crops, animals & people
American Public Opinion• Originally split between:
– Supporting rebels in fight for freedom
– Supporting Spain to protect business investments
• Headline Wars – William Randolph Hearst
(New York Journal)– Joseph Pulitzer (New
York World)– Rally support for war
Joseph PulitzerJoseph PulitzerWilliam Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst
American Public Opinion• Yellow Journalism
– Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers.
• Jingoism– Intense burst of
national pride & aggressive foreign policy
Hearst to Frederick Hearst to Frederick Remington:Remington:
“Please remain. Y“Please remain. You’ll ou’ll furnish the pictures, and furnish the pictures, and
I’ll furnish the war!”I’ll furnish the war!”
The De lome Letter• President McKinley tried
to avoid interventionism– He got Spain to recall
Weyler & modifiy concentration camp policy
• NY Journal published private letter from Spanish ambassador to US criticizing McKinley
• Americans angry over insult to President
• De Lome Letter thwarted progress by McKinley
“…shows what McKinley is, weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd,
besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave a door open behind
himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party.”
~ De Lome Letter
USS Maine• McKinley sends USS
Maine into Havana Harbor– Evacuate US citizens if
needed (riots)
• February 15, 1898– Maine explodes in
harbor– 260 Americans killed– Press blames Spanish
sabotage
America Enters the War• “Yellow Press” continue
to whip up anti-Spanish hysteria
• April 20, 1898– US demands that Spain
withdraws• Authorized President to
take military action necessary
– Teller Amendment – guaranteed US would not annex Cuba
• April 25, 1898– 25th –
• Spain declares war on US• US declares war on Spain