Entering the World Stage17.2 The Spanish-American War

Focus Your Thoughts . . .

What is ‘propaganda’?

How is it connected to imperialism?

Unrest in CubaBy the 1890’s, Spain had lost all of

its colonies in the Western Hemisphere except Cuba and Puerto Rico

Cubans, led by Jose Marti, rose in revolt against Spain in 1895

Spain sent General Valeriano Weyler to suppress the rebels a year later Forced thousands of civilians into

camps controlled by the army to keep them from aiding the rebels Nearly a third of the Cubans in the

camps died from starvation and/or disease Shocked and appalled Americans

Cuba

Puerto

Rico

Americans Get “War Fever”( Because that never happens . . . )

Many Americans were sympathetic to the Cubans’ strugglesThey believed they were similar to

their own during the American Revolution

They became even more supportive after hearing about the treatment of the civilians under General Weyler

What do you think they did?

The Media’s RoleThe American response was to

print scandalous stories and splash large, shocking illustrations across their pages Yellow Journalism

The New York Journal threw its support behind the Cuban rebels and refused to use any Spanish sources for news stories This resulted in biased – but

exciting - news

The New York World abandoned all attempts at objectivity as well

What does it mean to be objective?

The Explosion of the MaineOn February 9, 1898, the Journal published a letter written

by Enrique Dupuy de Lome, Spain’s minister to the U.S., the de Lome letter criticized President McKinley calling him “weak” because he was reluctant to involve the country in conflict

The Final StrawThe U.S.S. Maine was sent to Havana, Cuba, to protect

American lives and property; but on February 15th, it mysteriously blew up killing 260 sailors

This enraged Americans, who blamed Spain without evidence, and McKinley demanded Spain give Cuba it’s independence, when Spain refused, the Spanish-American War began

War in the Philippines The Philippines

A group of islands located east of Vietnam

Spain had claimed the islands since the 1500’s

Before the United States had declared war, Teddy (then the assistant secretary of the navy) sent secret orders to George Dewey the commander of the Asiatic Squadron, if war broke out, Dewey was to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines When he got the word, Dewey

attacked the Spanish fleet, who’d been firing on them for some time, and won a decisive victory thanks to superior weaponry and ships

Referred to as the Battle of Manila Bay

Teddy

War in CubaDays before declaring war, Congress had

recognized Cuba’s independence; they adopted the Teller Amendment which stated that once Cuba freed itself from Spanish rule, the united States would “leave the government and control of the island to its people.”

Victory in Cuba proved difficult . . .Wool uniforms in the summerLeft over mess pans from the Civil WarCanned meat so sickening soldiers called it “embalmed beef”

The Rough Riders

A volunteer army organized by Teddy after he left his navy post made up of:Adventurous college athletesCowboysRanchersMiners

Teddy

The Strategy The American strategy in Cuba was to capture the port city of Santiago;

U.S. troops needed to control the hills around the city

July 1 – One U.S. division seized the hill at El Caney after a four hour fight; that same day, some 8,000 U.S. soldiers fought to take control of Kettle and San Juan hills

Buffalo Soldiers – Experienced African American soldiers from the Ninth and Tenth cavalries led the charge along with Teddy and the Rough Riders

Result – By nightfall, U.S. troops controlled the ridge above Santiago For their heroic actions in what became known as the Battle of San Juan

Hill, six Buffalo Soldiers and two Rough Riders (Teddy being one of them) received the Medal of Honor

July 3 – The U.S. navy sank the entire Spanish fleet off the coast of Cuba in the Battle of Santiago; Spanish troops surrendered two weeks later . . . soon after, U.S. troops defeated Spanish forces in Puerto Rico as well.

Consequences of the WarThe Spanish had to give up all

claims to Cuba and cede Puerto Rico and the Pacific island of Guam to the United States; they also turned over control of the Philippines for $20 million

The United States costs amounted to $250 million; in addition, some 2,000 soldiers died of Yellow Fever

Within a year, the United States would acquire the Pacific island of Samoa as well, but the quest for empire troubled many Americans

The culprit

What is Yellow Fever?Early stage

Headache, muscle aches, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and jaundice are common. After approximately 3 - 4 days, often symptoms go away briefly.

Period of remissionAfter 3 - 4 days, fever and other symptoms go away. Most

people will recover at this stage, but others may move onto the third, most dangerous stage within 24 hours.

Period of intoxicationMulti-organ dysfunction occurs, this includes liver and kidney

failure, bleeding disorders/hemorrhage, and brain dysfunction including delirium, seizures, coma, shock, and death.

Annexing the PhilippinesArguments for Annexation Arguments against

AnnexationEconomic and strategic

valueLocated along the route

to China

Opportunity to civilize, “Christianize”, and educate Filipinos

Made the United States appear stronger to control overseas territories

Annexation violates the principle of self government, the very foundation of the American system

Many African Americans worried about exporting oppression to the Philippines; they believed it was wrong to try and “civilize” alien peoples

Some Americans feared a new wave of immigration which would hurt American workers

American RuleFebruary 6, 1899 - After a fierce debate, the Senate narrowly

approved the treaty calling for annexation of the Philippines

Filipino nationalists were infuriated; they had been fighting for independence from Spain for years, now they had exchanged one set of rulers for another.

Emilio Aguinaldo had already set up a government and proclaimed himself President ; he warned that he was prepared to take military action . . . not surprisingly – fighting broke outThree years later, Aguinaldo was captured and forced to give up

power . . . it wasn’t until 1946 that the United States granted the Philippines full independence again.

AssignmentPropaganda Posters

Create a propaganda poster encouraging American support of the war against Spain

Make sure you’re paying special attention to the media’s portrayal of the Spaniards during this time period

Neatness, creativity, and effort will be factored into your grade . . . take pride in your work!