The Spanish American War

Expansion in the 1800’s

• Manifest Destiny– Purchase of Florida, Alaska– Oregon territory– Fought for Texas– Gained land through Mexican Session:

Southwestern territories and California– Louisiana Purchase

Civil War 1861-1865

• Limited expansion• Limited industrial growth

Turn to expansionism

• Better communication, transportation• Surplus of goods, need for new markets• New foreign policy, abandon isolationism

Expansionism to Imperialism

• Desire for new markets to sell more goods• Notion of an American Empire is appealing• Suggestions of Alfred T. Mahan: modernize

navy to protect trade on 2 ocean fronts• Patriotism• Christian duty

Debate!

• Imperialists: Favored expansion and colonization

• Anti Imperialists: did not favor expansion and colonization, feared it could undermine the strength of the US

Revolution in Cuba

• Cubans struggle for independence from Spain

US interest in Cuba

• Identified with struggle for independence• Natural expansion of US• Spain viewed as oppressive• Protect US sugar plantations in Cuba

Revolution Begins

• Jose Marti launches revolution from US• Destroy Spanish Assets in Cuba• Spanish place Cuban rebels in camps– Some Americans mistaken for rebels– Starvation, disease– Death

Americans Keep Watch

• US investments in sugar• Horrific conditions reported in camps• Sensationalism in news reports creates anger

towards Spain• President McKinley wants to avoid war and

calls for reforms by Spain in Cuba

The Maine

• Explosion– Riots in Havana (Cuban Capitol)– USS Maine sent to show US concern (intimidation)– Feb. 15 1898 the Maine mysteriously explodes

killing 260 Americans

Remember the Maine, War with Spain!

• Yellow Journalism pushes for military action– Sensational headlines– Stir up emotions– Ploy to “sell” news

McKinley calls for war

• Ultimatum to Spain: agree to armistice and end prison camps

• Spain does not respond to ultimatum• Congress declares war with Spain in Cuba in

1898

War in Philippines (Spanish Territory)

• US Commodore George Dewey invades Philippines to keep Spanish Fleet there from leaving for Caribbean

• Defeats Spanish in Manilla Bay• Rebels help US liberate Philippines from Spain• No independence for Filipinos

War in Cuba

• Fighting begins June 20, 1898• 17,000 troops to Santiago, Cuba• African Americans fight too, but are not

rewarded• Rough Riders– Volunteers, adventurous– Led by Theodore Roosevelt from Tampa to Cuba– Vital to winning war in Cuba

US defeats Spain

• Battle of San Juan Hill, US overtakes Spanish• US destroys Spanish Fleet • Conquered Spanish in Puerto Rico• Took toll on Soldiers– 385 killed in action– 5,000 killed by disease (yellow fever and Malaria),

or food poisoning

US emerges as an Imperialist Power

• Splendid Little War• Cease fire on Aug. 12, 1898• Treaty of Paris 1898 granted independence to

Cuba, ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippines to the United States

Cuba is protectorate of US

• Platt Amendment– Limited Cuba’s foreign interaction– US has rights to build Naval stations– US can send troops to keep order

Philippines become US colony

• Unfit for self government• US to educate, civilize and Christianize

Filipinos• Proves difficult as there are language and

cultural barriers

US becomes a world power in 1900

• Influences policies in other countries• Progressive policies under T. Roosevelt, Taft,

and Wilson• Increased involvement in Asia and Latin

America

Roosevelt’s policies

• Speak softly but carry a big stick• Advocated peaceful solutions• US should have a strong international presence• US responsible to protect weaker countries• Open Door Policy with China– Equal trade for all countries– Preserve China’s independence– Boxer Rebellion: battle against all foreigners in

China

President Taft

• Dollar Diplomacy• US should invest money in foreign countries to

keep other nations from taking them over

President Wilson

• Moral diplomacy• US responsible for democracy around the

globe