Spanish-American War

1898

Background to the war……Background to the war……- U.S. tries to gain control of Cuba from Spain U.S. tries to gain control of Cuba from Spain

in the 1800’s to protect business interests.in the 1800’s to protect business interests.

- Cubans revolt over Spanish rule during hard Cubans revolt over Spanish rule during hard economic times. (1868 and 1895).economic times. (1868 and 1895).

- Cuban rebels wanted U.S. to get involved – Cuban rebels wanted U.S. to get involved – many exile to the U.S.many exile to the U.S.

The fever for war heating up

•Spanish policies towards Cubans are brutal.

•U.S. newspapers report the tragedies – Public outraged.

Gen. Valeriano Weyler

William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951)

• Propaganda

• De Lome letter

• “You get me the pictures, I’ll get you a war.”

“The splendid little war.”• U.S. Navy is dispatched.

• On February 15, 1898 the U.S.S. Maine explodes.

• McKinley asks for war April 11, 1898.

• Teller Amendment – April 19, 1898.

• April 21, 1898 McKinley gets approval from Congress to go to war against Spain.

U.S.S. Maine

U.S. not ready for war!

• No training – Low numbers.

• Poorly equipped for the climate in Cuba.

• Transport troubles.

• Race concerns among soldiers.

Fighting in Manila???

• May 1, 1898 Battle of Manila Bay – Naval Victory.

• U.S. quickly gains control of the Philippine Islands.

U.S. Pacific Naval Commander

George Dewey

The Cuban Campaign• U.S. not ready for a

ground war.

“Rough Riders”

THE INVASION• Not ready for

ground war.

• Trouble with the Landing.

• The original

“Smurfs”.U.S. Troops arrive in Cuba – June 22, 1898

The Cuban Campaign• U.S. not ready for a

ground war.

• Fiercest Fighting occurred near the port city of Santiago.

• Battle of San Juan Hill

• U.S. Navy cripples the Spanish Fleet escaping Santiago Harbor

“Rough Riders”

Cuba*

Santiago

*Havana

A taste of global warfare

• Philippines*

• Guam

• Cuba*

• Puerto Rico

The war ends…..(1898)

• July 17 Spain surrenders Santiago.

•August 12 after U.S. invades Puerto Rico, Spain is granted a conditional surrender.

• December 10 Spain and U.S. Sign the Treaty of Paris.

Treaty of Paris (Dec.

10, 1898)•Spain gives up control of Cuba,

Puerto Rico, and Philippines.•Spain is allowed to keep

trading in the Philippines.-Hostile environment for the U.S.-Dewey’s (U.S. Navy) victory in the Pacific makes Europe very nervous.

Platt AmendmentPlatt Amendment

• March 2March 2ndnd, 1901, 1901

• U.S. becomes the U.S. becomes the protectorate over Cubaprotectorate over Cuba

• Limits Cuba’s ability to Limits Cuba’s ability to deal with other deal with other countries.countries.

• Gives U.S. Naval Base Gives U.S. Naval Base at at GuantanamoGuantanamo Bay Bay

The U.S. becomes a world player…….?

There is mixed public opinion in the U.S. ………….