The Spanish-American War began due to tensions between Spain and Cuban independence fighters, exacerbated by yellow journalism in American newspapers. The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor led the U.S. to declare war on Spain in 1898. The U.S. defeated Spain in Cuba and seized control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The Treaty of Paris ended the war and granted independence to Cuba while ceding Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the U.S.

1. THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR Essential Questions: How did yellow journalism impact the Spanish-American war? What role did the Maine play in the outbreak of war with Spain? What was the significance of San Juan Hill and the Rough Riders? What did the Treaty of Paris set forth?

2. Problems in Cuba Cubans were dissatisfied with Spain Fought Ten Years' War (1868-1878) Refused to grant self-government In 1895 a second conflict broke out Spain sent 200,000 troops to Cuba U.S. was outraged by reports from Cuba Spain and Cuban nationalists were leveling homes, factories, and fields U.S. had economic interests in Cuba President Cleveland was against war If Congress approved war , he vowed to never send the military to Cuba

3. Yellow Journalism U.S. newspapers sensationalized the events taking place in Cuba Known as " yellow journalism “ Newspaper tycoons Hearst and Pulitzer were in a circulation war Were willing to make up stories Hearst sent artists to Cuba to paint and draw the atrocities One reported to Hearst that the rumors and scale of the conflict were overblown Hearst replied " You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war .”

4. The Warship Maine Was Split In Two By An Enemy's Secret Infernal Machine! The U.S. sent the USS Maine to Cuba Hearst intercepts letter from Spain It spoke rudely of President McKinley Hearst published the letter The letter outraged Americans and tensions grow between US and Spain Then in February 1898 the Maine explodes 260 out of 350 sailors and officers die The Maine destruction created an uproar The yellow press exploited the story Anti-Spanish sentiments grew

5. WAR! The yellow press continued feeding the public's appetite for anti-Spanish news War Hawks like Theodore Roosevelt criticized McKinley for being weak McKinley finally submits to cries for war In April 1898 the U.S. declared war U.S. public celebrated Europe saw the war as a land-grab Effort by America to assume control of Cuba from Spain Congress passed the Teller Amendment Promised not to annex Cuba US claimed to be fighting the war to liberate an oppressed people and promote justice in the world

6. Dewey and the Philippines Theodore Roosevelt , the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, thought the US should take a bigger role in world affairs He wanted more than a war in Cuba So… Roosevelt used his authority to cable George Dewey the officer in command of the U.S. fleet in Hong Kong harbor Roosevelt told Dewey that if the U.S. went to war he was to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines Roosevelt gave the order without his bosses knowledge When the U.S. declared war Dewey sailed into Manila harbor Dewey's forces quickly defeated the Spanish fleet Not a single U.S. sailor died

7. American Imperialism Americans were excited by the victory But Dewey had no troops, and without troops, you can’t invade Dewey had to wait months for troops Other fleets sailed near Manila, especially German and British fleets German fleet harassed the U.S. British wanted to offset German intimidation and foster better relations between Britain and America War in the Philippines was seen as a way to get a new set of Pacific islands (Hawaii) U.S. annexed Hawaii in July 1898

8. Rough Riders and San Juan Hill U.S. had no experience in the tropics Army arrived with wool clothing Better equipped were the " Rough Riders “ Most famous was Theodore Roosevelt Resigned his post in the Navy to fight Roosevelt had no military experience Battle of San Juan Hill was fought in July The “ Rough Riders ” stormed the hill Suffered 3x as many loses as Spain In the end they claimed victory With defeats in Cuba and the Philippines Spain asked for peace

9. Treaty of Paris The terms of the peace agreement: Cuba would become independent The U.S. would get Guam The U.S. would get Puerto Rico The Philippines ?? U.S. refused to give the islands back Spain, however, had a complaint By the time U.S. ground forces arrived the armistice was signed The US should have stopped fighting Spain said… Philippines didn't count American negotiators offered Spain $20 million dollars and they accepted In December 1898, the US and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris

10. Rise of Theodore Roosevelt The Battle of San Juan Hill launched Theodore Roosevelt into national fame Roosevelt returned to the United States a national hero He was elected governor of New York later in the year He then became Vice President in the general election two years later