The Spanish American War

April 25, 1898 – December 10,1898 (8 months)

Ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris of 1898

The United States declared war on Spain after the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba.

Reasons for the Spanish American war

1. Protection of American business interests in Cuba (mostly sugar cane)

2. America wanted to help Cuban rebels gain independence from Spain

3. The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba

4. Yellow Journalism

Yellow Journalism and War

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU5l4yQCpMM&feature=related

USS Maine sunk Feb, 15th 1898

Results of the Spanish American War

The United States emerged as a world power

Cuba gained independence from Spain

The United States gained possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico

Teddy Roosevelt’s impact on foreign policy

The building of the Panama CanalIn 1903, The U.S. signed a treaty with

panama for the rights to build a canal that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Treaty included: 10 mile strip of land across Panama U.S. would pay Panama 10 million dollars

for a 99 year lease U.S. would also pay an annual rent of

$250,000

Panama Canal

Panama Canal was completed August 15th,

1914

Cut 7,000 miles off the Sea voyage from

New York City to San Francisco

United States could now quickly navigate

between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

More Teddy Roosevelt Policies

Teddy Roosevelt’s most famous quote “Speak softly and carry a big stick”

Drafted a policy known as the Roosevelt Corollary which expanded on the policies of the Monroe Doctrine with regard to European involvement in Central and South America

The Monroe Doctrine (1823)

The Western Hemisphere was no longer open for colonization

The political system of the Americas was different from Europe

The United States would regard any interference in Western hemispheric affairs as a threat to its security

The United States would refrain from participation in European wars and would not disturb existing colonies in the Western Hemisphere

Roosevelt Corollary

Had 3 main components

#1) Asserted the United States’

right to interfere in the economic

matters of other nations in the

Americas

#2Claimed the United States’ right to exercise international police power

Ex: Building the Panama Canal

#3) Advocated “Big Stick” diplomacy