Do Now: Write down what you feel is the role of a newspaper or news article online or on television.

The Following are Causes of the Spanish-American War

Cause #1

William Randolph HearstJoseph Pulitzer

Cause #2 U.S.S. Maine Explosion

Cause #3 Yellow Journalism

Spanish-American War (1898)

Imperialism or Necessary?

First Stage - Conquer Philippines?

• Commodore Dewey attacks Philippines one week after US declares war over Cuba

• Philippines belonged to Spain

• Spain -381 killed• US - 0

Why Philippines?• Gave US possible

ports and naval bases

US Not Ready At First

• Had only 28,000 troops, need 280,000• Issued wool uniforms for tropics• Most died from diseases (malaria, yellow fever), not

battle

Rough Riders - Theodore Roosevelt’s Volunteer Group

• Very Popular in US due to newspaper articles• Helped TR get elected• TR calls the war “A splendid little war.”

Most Famous Battle - San Juan Hill

• 7,000 US troops attack 600 Spanish• Well Covered by press

Was the war Imperialism or Necessary?

Imperialism - No Doubt

What Does the US do with new Lands after the War?

CubaPhilippinesPuerto Rico

Cuba

• We promised before war we wouldn’t keep it

• Platt Amendment - Allows US to intervene in Cuban affairs

“This was like handing over the keys to our house so that the Americans can enter it at any

time, whenever the desire seizes them, day or night, whether with

good or evil design.”

Puerto Rico

• Becomes a US territory (didn’t fight like Filipinos did)

• 1952 - Becomes a US commonwealth - citizenship, own constitution, sends non-voting Reps to Congress

Philippines

• US intends to keep it, Filipinos revolt • 70,000 US troops fight 3 years there• Hundreds of thousands Filipinos die• 1902 - US sets up govt. with some local

control• 1946 - Philippines are independent