Spanish American War

Spanish-American War and U.S. Imperialism
10 th grade Social Studies

Learning Target: *Trace the development of the U.S. As a world power with emphasis on: A. the Spanish-American War B. U.S. Imperialism in the Far East, South Pacific, Caribbean and Central America

From Expansion to Imperialism
Growing desire for new U.S. markets
Wanted to invest in and trade with foreign markets
Captain Alfred T. Mahan-the U.S. must sell in a foreign market-needed strong Navy to protect that market
A strong Navy would need colonies for overseas naval bases

Continued
Many Americans wanted to spread ideas of Christianity and Democracy.
We had a moral obligation to spread Christianity.....White Man's Burden?!
According to Reverend Josiah Strong in 1885: “Americans were a special, God-favored Anglo-Saxon race who served as the representatives of the purest Christianity, the highest civilization. Americans have an instinct or genius for colonizing and should thus follow their imperial destiny to lift up other societies...”

The debate over Imperialism
Many believed it was necessary for U.S. prosperity
Others were wary of Imperialism
Did not want to compete with Europe in Africa and Asia
Trade should not lead to control
May weaken institutions at home
Invite war
Violate the American idea of “self-determination”

Revolution in Cuba
The Cuban people wanted independence from Spain
Identified the plight with American Revolution
Attraction of sugar plantations
Americans put a tariff on sugar-hurt Cuban economy (aka Spain)

Cuban Revolution
A revolution was launched by Cubans in the U.S.
Many Cuban citizens were forced into horrible camps during the revolution
¼ of the Cuban population died in the camps
America kept a close watch
Investments
Conditions in camps sensationalized
Started to become angry with Spain

President William McKinley
Elected president in 1896
Wanted to avoid war
Platform=claims to Hawaii and the Virgin Islands; Cuban Independence
Ordered the battleship “Maine” into Havana Harbor in Cuba to show concern and protect U.S. interests

Maine Disaster!
The “Maine” was blown up in Havana Harbor, killing 260 Americans
In response to the tragedy, headlines in American papers called for revenge: “Remember the Maine”
There was never any evidence to prove who blew up the ship
Americans blamed Spain
(in 1976 it was found that a faulty boiler may have caused the explosion....oops)

Yellow Journalism
Journalists pushed for military action
Sensational headlines and stories, with little attention to facts, designed to grab the attention and stir up the emotions of readers
Hearst and Pulitzer
Many stories were fabricated

McKinley Calls for war...
Political and Public pressure
War began in the Philippines-U.S. Defeated the Spanish with the help of Emilio Aguinaldo
Many African-Americans fought in Cuba
Rough Riders
“ Teddy's Terrors”
Embodied the spirit of war
Stormed San Juan Hill

The “Splendid Little War”
Besides yellow fever, and many soldiers dead from food poisoning... .
The treaty of Paris gave independence to Cuba, and gave the U.S. Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
U.S. developed the Platt Amendment for Cuba
America would also eventually control Hawaii and Samoa

Be a Yellow Journalist
Using the ideas of “Imperialism,” create a piece of yellow journalism about an event in the U.S. past or present. It must include the following:
A sensational headline
A “shocking” photograph or drawing
A one-two paragraph article about the event
The article should focus on the most shocking, sensational, or emotional aspects of the event.

Spanish American War

by guest3f8f712 on Oct 26, 2009

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