Spain owned territories in the Americas including Cuba and Puerto Rico, but Cubans revolted for independence which Spain violently suppressed, angering Americans and leading the U.S. to declare war on Spain in 1898 over the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor. The war resulted in U.S. victory and the acquisition of Spanish territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

1. Spanish-American War
vs

2. Other countries besides the U.S. had lands around the world. One of
those was Spain-which is a country in Europe that borders France and
Portugal. Spain had owned lands in the western hemisphere since
their explorer Columbus first found the islands south of Florida and
claimed them for the country!

3. At one time, Spain owned Mexico and all of South America
(which is why the people there speak Spanish). They even
owned Florida and Alabama and other parts of the
Southeast and Southwest U.S. at one time.
Mexico
South America
Alabama
FLORIDA

4. Some of those lands were close to the
United States such as Cuba and Puerto
Rico.

5. When Cubans began to demand freedom/independence from their
mother country of Spain the Spanish government smashed them and
killed many and burned many of their crops and businesses. Caution:
Dead bodies in a pit below.

6. The leaders of Spain’s government in Cuba
tossed thousands of Cuban people in jail for
revolting against them!

7. Many Americans felt sorry for our neighbors –the Cuban
people and some wanted the U.S. to help them. President
William McKinley refused to get involved in Cuba’s
business at first.

8. American business owners and the U.S. government
became angry when American sugar and tobacco
plantations in Cuba were being destroyed. The U.S. made
a LOT of money from their businesses in Cuba.

9. Cubans growing tobacco

10. The United States Ship: The Maine photographed here in January of
1898 was sent by U.S. President McKinley to Cuba to “protect”
American lives and property. One month later it would be blown up
and destroyed!!!

11. When the Maine exploded, 260 American sailors died and many
assumed that the Spanish army in Cuba was responsible. Fact is, it
could have been an accident and some even say the U.S. may have
exploded it themselves to get the war started!

12. This is what was left of the Maine
after the explosion.

13. Another view of the Maine
wreckage

14. U.S. newspapers blamed Spain without any proof!!!!
Outrageous lies were told to American citizens about the
event to sell more newspapers. This is called “Yellow
Journalism” and it is bad….m’kay?

15. Americans were furious that Spain would destroy a U.S. ship! A new
battle cry was begun in the States: “Remember the Maine!”
With enough public support for a war with Spain, Congress declared
war on them April 25, 1898. Notice the name of this history channel
DVD. Birth of a WHAT?

16. COULD AMERICA HAVE *gasp!* WANTED
A WAR WITH SPAIN? YA THINK? WHY?
??

17. Here’s a short 4 minute video on the
beginning of the Spanish-American War and
how it all began..
• http://www.unitedstreaming.com/search/assetD
**THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE IN
CUBA…