Causes of the Spanish-American War: Imperialism, Cuba, and Yellow Journalism
The Spanish-American War was fueled by imperialism, particularly the desire for colonies, as well as the unrest in Cuba against Spanish rule. American economic interests in Cuba, coupled with yellow journalism's sensationalized reporting, further escalated tensions leading to the conflict.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Imperialism The Spanish-American War
Causes of the War As American power and influence grew they were still reluctant to risk war with other powers to acquire colonies This changed in 1898 when the US went to war against Spain The US acquired colonies and became a world power
Causes of the War At the end of the 19thcentury, Spain was an imperial nation in decline Its vast empire had dwindled to the Philippine Islands and the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico and Cuba
Causes of the War (Cuba) By 1897, American entrepreneurs had invested $50 million in sugar cane plantations and other ventures in Cuba Businessmen saw Cuba as a growing market for American products The island very unstable, Cubans yearning for freedom rebelled against Spanish rule
Causes of the War (Cuba) 1895: Cuban patriot Jose Marti launched a war for independence from Spain Rebel fighters used guerrilla tactics of hit-and-run against Spanish forces Spanish General Valeriano planned to deprive food and recruits from rebels by herding population into reconcentration camps
Causes of the War (Cuba) While in the reconcentration camps, tens of thousands died from disease and starvation Cubans and Spanish destroyed American property on the island
Causes of the War (Cuba) Many Americans favored Cuban struggle for freedom and democracy Brutality of Spanish tactics intensified American support for Cubans Business people in America worried about US economic interests and wished for Spain to quickly put down the rebels
Yellow Journalism Rival newspaper publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst heightened public s dislike of Spanish government Both used Yellow Press (sensational headlines and exaggerated stories) to promote readership and turn public opinion against Spanish government
Yellow Journalism President McKinley warned Spanish to quickly establish peace or the US would get involved Despite Spain offering rebels some reforms, rebels were determined to win independence which Spain refused to grant McKinley ordered the battleship Maine to Havana Harbor to protect American citizens in Cuba
Remember the Maine Feb. 15, 1898: while anchored at Havana Harbor, the Maine exploded Of the 350 officers and crew 266 died The Yellow Press accused Spain of blowing up the Maine
Remember the Maine President McKinley did not ask Congress for a declaration of war, but ordered a special naval board of inquiry During the investigation, the board concluded that a mine had destroyed the battleship Although years later follow-up investigations called the conclusion into doubt, most Americans blamed Spain
The Nation Goes To War War fever gripped the US In response to American demands, Spain agreed to abolish reconcentration camps, however it was too little too late April 11, 1898 McKinley asked Congress for the authority to use force to end fighting in Cuba
The Nation Goes to War Congress enacted 4 resolutions amounting to a declaration of war on Spain Fourth resolution stipulated that US has no intention of annexing Cuba Navy responded by blockading Cuba ports and McKinley called for more than 100,000 volunteers
Battling the Spanish Americans responded enthusiastically with 200,000 men enlisting in the army In early May 1898 the American army prepared to attack the Spanish in Cuba
Dewey Takes the Philippines May 1, 1898: Commodore George Dewey steamed his squadron of vessels into Manila Bay in the Philippines The Spanish fleet was caught completely by surprise and was completely destroyed
Dewey Takes the Philippines No Americans died in the battle, however 400 Spanish sailors lost their lives Emilio Aguinaldo, who led Filipino nationalists who were fighting for freedom from Spain, defeated the Spanish army in the Philippines After 15,000 US troops landed in the Philippines in August, the Spanish troops surrendered to the US
US Wins in Cuba American troops landed in Cuba in June 1898 US Marines captured Guantanamo Bay and 17,000 US soldiers landed east of Santiago
US Wins in Cuba US troops faced deplorable conditions in Cuba, being poorly trained and poorly supplied Corrupt and inefficient officials supplied troops with rotting and contaminated food Army consisted of state National Guard units, regular army units, 2 African American cavalry units, and the Rough Riders led by Theodore Roosevelt
US Wins in Cuba Rough Riders and Roosevelt gained fame during the battles for Kettle and San Juan hills The Riders along with the African American cavalry charged up and defeated the Spanish on the tops of both hills
US Wins in Cuba Two days after San Juan hill, Spanish navy attempted to escape the US naval blockade of Santiago s harbor US Navy destroyed the Spanish navy The Spanish forces in Santiago surrendered and the fighting soon came to an end Although 3,000 Americans died, 380 died in combat, others died of disease, especially malaria and yellow fever
Effects of the War Although the war with Spain was over relatively quickly, it created the dilemma of what the US should do with the former Spanish colonies December 1898: Spain and US sign the Treaty of Paris officially ended the war Spain gave up Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam and sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million
Effects of the War The Teller Amendment prevented the US from taking control of Cuba, but did not apply to the Philippines Americans disagreed over whether to grant the Philippines independence or to take for control of the islands
Debating Imperialism In 1899, President McKinley believed the US had a duty to educate and civilize the Filipinos Supporters of imperialism claimed the US had a responsibility to govern the Filipinos Believed the Philippines were a valuable stepping stone to China and other nations would take control of them
Debating Imperialism Anti-imperialists like William Jennings Bryan rejected these arguments 1899: Large group of anti-imperialists formed the American Anti-Imperialist League Condemned imperialism as a crime February 1899 the Senate voted by a single yes vote for the 2/3 majority needed to ratify the Treaty of Paris
Americas New Role In 1900, William Jennings Bryan lost the presidential race to President McKinley To bolster his chances, McKinley picked Theodore Roosevelt as his vice-presidential running mate McKinley s reelection seen as America s continuing faith in his imperialist policies As a result of the war, US had a new world empire and a new place in world affairs
