CAUSES:1. 1st Cuban Rebellion against Spain
A. Spanish had oppressed the Cubans in order to profit off of their sugar plantations.
1/3 of the Cubans were enslaved until 1886 Cuban Independence: Unsuccessful
2. 2nd Cuban War for Independence A. Josi Marti : Cuban Journalist launched the revolution in 1895:
Cuba Libre!B. American desire to protect its investments in CubaC. US supported Cuba economically ($50 million)D. Citizens smuggled guns from Florida to Cuban Rebels
PUBLIC OPINION Opinion was SPLIT
Some want to protect their interest and investments with Spain
Others are enthusiastic about the Rebel cause Comparing it to the American Revolution!
“Cuba Libre” vs.“Give me liberty or Give me Death!”
WAR FEVER ESCALATES Spain sends: General Valeriano Weyler
Herds entire rural population of central and western Cuba into barbed war Concentration camps
Civilians could not aid rebels
Thousands die from hunger and disease
CAUSES CONTINUED: 1. Yellow journalism that intensified U.S. public anger at Spain
A. William Randolph Hearst: the New York JournalB. (Spanish fed Cuban rebels to sharks and dogs)C. Joseph Pulitzer: the New York World (Cuba: “blood, blood, blood”)
2. The De Lome Letter-1. Written by Spanish Ambassador to the US2. Intercepted by Cuban Agents and printed in the New York Journal3. Called McKinley “weak and a bidder for the admiration of the
crowd”
3. The explosion of the USS Maine.D. USS Maine had been sent to Havana Harbor to ensure Americans
safety in the event that Rebels attackE. Killed 290 sailors
NEGOTIATIONS?
McKinley wanted Spain to give Cuba independence
SO……..Spain refused and war was declared April 25, 1898
THE WAR
A. Lasted 4 months and consisted of 2 fronts: Cuba & the Philippines
B. Philippines: 1. Roosevelt (Secretary of Navy)
instructed George Dewey that if war broke out Philippines must be attacked
2. Victory for the US
C. Cuba:1. Teller Amendment: once Cuba
is freed from Spanish rule, the US would leave the government to the people of Cuba
2. Rough Riders: organized by Roosevelt, it was a group of volunteers to fight
A. Seized Kettle Hill then assisted soldiers in seizing San Juan Hill
3. Buffalo soldiers: 9th and 10th African American calvarias
4. Victory for US after weeks of fighting
A. Spanish give up claims to Cuba
B. US buy Philippines, Puerto Rico, & Guam for $20 million
C. Some wanted to annex the Philippines into the US others did not
D. July 4, 1946 Philippines were granted full independence
E. Guam and Puerto Rico are still owned by the US today
Treaty of Paris
PLATT AMENDMENT
1. Cuba could not make any treaty with another nation that would weaken its independence
2. Cuba had to allow the US to buy or lease naval stations in Cuba
3. Cuba’s debts had to be kept low to prevent foreign countries from landing troops to enforce payment
4. The US would have the right to intervene to protect Cuban independence and keep order.
C. Jay Taylor, Puck, 3 June 1896 "The Cuban melodrama"THE NOBLE HERO (to the HEAVY VILLAIN) “Stand back, there, gol darn ye! If you force this think to a fifth act, remember that’s where I git in my work!”
Cartoon of three dancing figures representing Hawaii, Cuba and Philippines w
ith caption 'Hurrah
For The Fourth Of July W
e're Coming In O
n Independence D
ay Celebrations Too' published in the M
inneapolis Journal, July 2, 1898
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