3.2 - The Spanish - American War

Unit 3 – Imperialism & WWI

Section 2 – The Spanish-American War

The Students Will Be Able To (TSWBAT):

• Identify the major causes and effects of the Spanish-American War

• Analyze primary source documents to determine the cause/blame for the explosion of the USS Maine

Learning Targets & Key Words

Key Words:

Imperialism

USS Maine

Yellow Journalism

EQ: How did America show imperialist interests through the Spanish-American War?

1. Causes of the Spanish-

American War

Cuba was a colony of

Spain for

about 350 years

Cuba rebels, led by

Jose Marti,

call for independence

Spain puts some

Cubans in miserable

concentration camps

Americans are

sympathetic,

newspapers

cover the situation

Rebellion begins

in 1895

Causes of the Spanish-American War

• Why are Americans sympathetic to the Cuban situation?

• Why is the U.S. interested in the events in Cuba?

The Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine

USS Maine

explodes in

Havana harbor

To protect American citizens

and interests in Cuba,

Pres. McKinley sends the

U.S.S. Maine to Cuba

Congress declares war

on Spain, but will not

annex Cuba

(Teller Amendment)

“Remember

the

Maine!”

Newspapers

blame Spain

(Yellow

Journalism)

Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine,

Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898

Awake United States! This song was rushed into print between the sinking of the Maine on February 16, 1898 and the declaration of war on April 25, 1898.

Eagle soar on high, and sound the battle cry!

How proudly sailed the warship Maine, a Nation’s pride, without a stain! A wreck she lies, her sailors slain.

By two-faced butchers, paid by Spain!

Eagle soar on high, And sound the battle cry

Wave the starry flag! In mud it shall not drag!

Yellow Journalism

• Part 1 - Read the yellow journalism handout and complete write the answers to the following questions at the bottom of the paper.

• Part 2 – Complete the second sheet and analyze the Primary Source Newspaper Articles. Answer the questions and rewrite the headings on the paper in the style of Yellow Journalism.

1. What is it?

2. Why was it used?

3. How did it get its name?

4. Who used it?

5. When was it used?

6. Do you think it still exists today in journalism?

Yellow Journalism Primary Source Analysis

• Why did NY Journal sales go up in 1898?

Discussion

• Does yellow journalism exist today? • If so, where does it exist? • Is yellow journalism good

journalism? • Can you think of another time that

journalism fueled a political event? Video: _____

Maine Explosion Primary Source Activity

EQ: What sank the Maine?

• Work in partners (you can choose – we will switch up if you are not on task!)

• Fill out graphic organizer together (draw on your own paper!) ▫ You need to read BOTH articles ▫ Discuss together

• Write paragraph when you finish on a separate sheet of paper (details at bottom of page)

Comparing Articles:

The Maine Explosion

Read the 2 articles and

complete the following

graphic organizer. Discuss

and share what you learned.

Responding to the prompt on the bottom: Write one paragraph (a MINIMUM of 5 sentences). Use SPECIFIC evidence.

A 10 minute exercise in Yellow Journalism…

• You will pick a topic pertaining to NBHS (examples: tardy policy, food in the cafeteria, lunch time, class change, schedule, etc.!) and you will write a YELLOW JOURNALISM article on a mini- poster ▫ Your “poster” should include: A NAME for your NEWSPAPER A SENSATIONAL/EXAGGERATED TITLE! A sensational mini- ARTICLE (at least 5

sentences) AT LEAST ONE PICTURE!

Be DRAMATIC and CREATIVE!

2. The War and its Effects

Discussion Spanish-American War and U.S. Foreign Policy

• Often the U.S. has intervened in the affairs of a

foreign nation out of a sense of “moral obligation.”

Questions to consider: • Has the U.S. government created problems for itself

by doing so? • Do nations have a moral obligation toward one

another? • How has U.S. foreign policy changed over the last

100 years regarding this issue?

The Spanish-American War & Effects

April 1898: U.S. declares war on Spain

Commodore George Dewey

destroys Spanish

troops in the

Philippines (Manila Bay)

Pacific Ocean

Theodore Roosevelt leads

a volunteer cavalry unit

called the Rough Riders

Cuba

Teddy Roosevelt

and the

“Rough Riders”

Roosevelt becomes a hero

after victories at Kettle Hill and

San Juan Hill

Spanish troops

surrender

in Santiago

2,500 American causalities ;

most were from illnesses (especially malaria)

Treaty of Paris

“Splendid Little War”

comes to an end

*The U.S. acquires:

-Cuba

-Philippines

-Puerto Rico

-Guam

Imperialism Debate

(Election of 1900)

McKinley vs. Bryan

William McKinley :

--Keep the Philippines

-Educate & civilize the Filipinos

Pro-imperialism

William Jennings

Bryan:

-Anti-Imperialist League

-Considered Imperialism

a crime

Treaty of Paris is ratified in 1899

the US keeps the Philippines

Election of 1900 McKinley defeats Bryan

Americans support Imperialistic policies

Major turning point in American history –

The U.S. is now a world power