The Spanish-American War

1898

The Spanish-American War1898

• The Spanish American War was a conflict between Spain and the United States of America that took place from April to August in 1898 over the issue of liberation in Cuba.

Background Info• Until the American Civil

War, Americans had hoped to acquire Cuba.

• After the Civil War interest in Annexation dwindled but Americans continued to be displeased with Spanish misrule.

• A series of uprisings took place, the worse of which occurred in 1895 after a bad depression that threatened to go on endlessly.

American Intervention

• Nether the Rebels or the Spanish forces were strong enough to win.

• Many Newspapers reported outlandish and exaggerated reports of Spanish oppression in Cuba.

• Thus, many Americans started to demand American intervention.

• President McKinley tried to pressure Spain into offering Cuba limited Self Government, but the Rebels wanted nothing less than full independence and fighting continued.

The U.S.S Maine

• The U.S.S. Maine was one of America’s First battleships and cost over 2 million dollars to build!

• It was sent to Havana, Cuba after riots broke out there to protect American interests and Americans.

The U.S.S Maine

• While in Havana, on February 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine sank due to an explosion

• When it exploded 266 0f 354 crew members were killed.

• Americans were shocked!

The U.S.S Maine

• An official investigation was conducted and it was determined that the Maine exploded because of a mine.

• Who was to blame? Spain, Cuba, an accident?

• Many people blamed Spain.

The U.S.S. Maine

• Today however, many historians believe that it was a malfunction in the ship that caused the explosion.

• But, the relationship between the United States and Spain became so tense that discussion and negotiations were no longer possible.

NEWSPAPERS DEMAND REVENGE

• Two New York newspapers, the Journal and the World, were competing for readers, and this incident will provide sensational headlines

• Using a tactic called “Yellow Journalism” these papers hired writers and artists to distort and exaggerate the news, and call for war against Spain

The United States goes to War

• The U.S.S. Maine was not the cause of the War, but “Remember the Maine” became a popular slogan.

• On April 28, 1898, America declared war with Spain

Important Events: Manila Bay• The first major battle of the War

took place in the Philippines.• Six ships under Commodore

George Dewey sailed from Hong Kong to Manila Bay on May 1, 1898.

• It destroyed the entire Spanish fleet (10 vessels) without the loss of American life or damage to American vessels.

• Then, Dewey blockaded Manila harbor while he waited for American troops to arrive.

Important Events: Land Battles• On June 22, 1898 Major

General William R. Shafter landed 15,000 troops near Santiago, Cuba

• American forces suffered almost two thousand casualties, not only from Spanish fire, but also from heat exhaustion and mosquito born diseases.

Important Events: Land Battles• Both black and white Americans fought in the

campaign.• First Lieutenant John J. Pershing wrote: “White

Regiments, black regiments…fought shoulder to shoulder, unmindful of race and color…and mindful only of their common duty as Americans.”

Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders

• Before becoming President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt was Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

• He resigned to organize the Rough Riders, the first volunteer cavalry in the Spanish American War.

The Rough Riders

• The unit was made up of miners, cowboys, law enforcement and Native Americans.

• The Rough Riders participated in the capture of Kettle Hill and then charged across a valley to aid in the seizure of San Juan Hill.

Important Events: Land Battles

• In panic, Spanish ships fled the port of Santiago under Admiral Cervera.

• American fleets pursued and sank or forced the ships to beach thus gaining control of the seas surrounding Cuba.

• This prevented re-supply of Spanish forces and allowed more American troops to safely land more military forces.

• Within a month, most of the island was in U.S. or Cuban hands.

Several things happen at Once

• After days of negotiations, Spanish forces Surrendered Cuba on July 17.

• The United States entered and took Control of Puerto Rico with almost no Spanish opposition.

• On August 13, American forces landed and occupied Manila, Philippines

The Results

• On December 10, 1898 in the Treaty of Paris Spain granted Cuba its freedom.

• It ceded Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the United States.

• The United States in turn, paid 20 million dollars for the Philippine Islands

The Results

• It marked the end of the Spanish Empire.

• It marked the beginning of the United States as a World Power.

The Results: Anti-Imperialism

• Many people did not like America’s new position as a colonial power.

• They did not like the idea of holding people by force OR risking becoming involved in further wars.