Acquiring New Lands

Big Questions

• How was the United States involved in Puerto Rico and Cuba?

• What were the causes and effects of the Philippine-American War?

Ruling Puerto Rico

Some Puerto Ricans wanted independence and the chance to be their own country

Some wanted statehood in the United StatesSome wanted to be a U.S. territory and have

some self-government

Military Influence in Puerto Rico

During the Spanish-American war, U.S. forces had occupied Puerto Rico

The U.S. general in charge assured Puerto Ricans that the U.S. troops were there to protect them and their property, and to bring prosperity

Puerto Rico would be controlled by the U.S. military until Congress decided otherwise

Puerto Rico’s Fate

Puerto Rico was strategically important to the U.S. By occupying Puerto Rico, the U.S. could maintain its

presence in the Caribbean Occupation allowed the U.S. to protect the location of a

canal that the U.S. had planned to build across Panama1900 – Foraker Act ended military rule in

Puerto Rico Gave the United States the power to appoint Puerto

Rico’s governor and some of the legislaturePuerto Ricans were given U.S. citizenship in

1917

Cuba and the U.S.

When the U.S. declared war against Spain in 1898, it recognized Cuba’s independence from Spain

The U.S. also passed the Teller Amendment, which stated that the U.S. had no intention of taking over Cuba

Treaty of Paris further guaranteed Cuban independence

America’s Presence in Cuba

Though officially independent, Cuba was occupied by American troops when the war was over

Jose Marti, who had led the Cuban independence movement, was afraid that the U.S. would replace Spain as a ruler

Same officials who had served under Spanish control remained in office under U.S. occupation

Cubans who protested this policy were imprisoned or exiled

Positives of U.S. Occupation in Cuba

American military government provided food and clothing for thousands of families

Also helped farmers put land back into cultivation

Helped organize and build elementary schools

Improved sanitation and medical research which helped eliminate yellow fever

Platt Amendment

When Cuba drafted its Constitution, the United States insisted that Cuba include the following rules: Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its

independence or permit a foreign power to control any party of it

The United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuba

Cuba could not go into debt The U.S. could buy or lease land on the island for

naval and refueling stations

Reactions to the Platt Amendment

U.S. made it clear that the military would not leave until Cuba adopted the rules of the Platt Amendment

Many Cubans reacted negatively Some marched around the house of the military

governor, Leonard Wood, demanding changes Some even wanted to take up arms again to fight the

United StatesU.S. government stood firm, Cuba gave in

and accepted the rules Cuba became a U.S. protectorate, a country whose

affairs are partially controlled by a stronger power

The Philippines

Filipinos were outraged about the Treaty of Paris, which gave the U.S. the Philippines Filipinos wanted

independenceRebel leader Emilio

Aguinaldo believed that the U.S. had promised independence He and his followers

vowed to continue to fight for independence

Philippine-American War

February, 1899 – the Philippines rose in revolt

U.S. then took on the same role that Spain had in the previous war When Filipinos adopted

guerilla tactics, U.S. had them rounded up into concentration camps

This was the same practice that Americans had condemned Spain for using in Cuba

It took the U.S. nearly 3 years, 4,000 American lives, 20,000 Filipino lives, and $400 million to put down rebellion

Aftermath of the War

After suppressing the rebellion, the United States set up a government in the Philippines similar to the one it had established in Puerto Rico

The Philippines finally became an independent nation on July 4th, 1946

Opinions of U.S. Imperialism

William McKinley was re-elected against William Jennings Bryant, an anti-imperialist McKinley took this as support for his imperialist

policiesAnti-Imperialist League formed in the United

States Included Grover Cleveland, Andrew Carnegie, Jane

Addams They believed it was wrong for the U.S. to rule people

without their consentMany felt the U.S. shouldn’t get involved in

foreign affairs with colonies

Quick Review

How did the United States deal with Puerto Rico after the war? How did Puerto Ricans feel about this?

How did the United States deal with Cuba after the war? How did Cubans feel about this?

How did the United States deal with the Philippines after the war? How did Filipinos feel about this?

What were some different opinions about the U.S. policy of imperialism?