Spanish American War

Map of the Battles

Yellow Journalism Journalism that

exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers.

U.S.S Maine February 15, 1898-

Havana Harbor U.S.S. Maine was blown-

up 260 American sailors

were killed after mysterious explosion. Yellow Press called for war against Spain ("Remember the Maine"), offer rewards for proof of Spanish plot.

“Spark” that started the war.

God Has Told Me President McKinley

asks Congress to declare war on Spain

McKinley tells Congress that God has told him to attack the Spanish forces.

April 25, 1898, Congress declared war on Spain

Dewey Sinks May 1, 1898 -

Manila Bay Dewey sunk

Spanish fleet. In only seven

hours, the entire Spanish Asian fleet was sunk. U.S. suffers only one death.

War in the Philippines With the help of

Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo, the Americans captured the city of Manila.

Using American-supplied arms, they seized the main island, declared independence, and created a democratic republic.

War in Cuba In the Caribbean, a

Spanish fleet entered the harbor of Santiago on May 19.

Days later, an American naval force blockaded the coast, trapping the Spanish in the harbor.

An American land force of about 17,000 (nearly ¼ African American) landed near Santiago.

Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary to the Navy.

First Volunteer Cavalry, nicknamed the “Rough Riders.”

Roosevelt’s famous words, “I waved my hat and we went up the hill with a rush”

Rough Riders Famous group of

soldiers during the war was the Rough Riders, an elite regiment led by Teddy Roosevelt in the land invasion of Cuba.

Battle of San Juan Hill June, 1898, - Santiago, Cuba

Roosevelt's Rough Riders take San Juan Hill

Roosevelt achieves heroic stature for leading men (sans horses) up hill overlooking Santiago Harbor.

Two days later the Spanish fleet attempted to break out of Santiago. In a battle that Lasted about 4 hours, the Spanish fleet was completely destroyed.

This defeat ended the Spanish resistance in Cuba.

War in Puerto Rico American troops

landed on Puerto Rico in late July and quickly took control of the island.

On August 12 the Spanish signed an armistice, a peace agreement, ending the war.

“A Splendid Little War” Sec. of State John

Hay called the Spanish- American War “a splendid little war.”

The war lasted fewer than 4 months. And about 400 soldiers died in battle or from wounds they received from battle.

Things not so “splendid” about the war

More than 2000 Americans died from diseases such as: Yellow Fever, Malaria, and other diseases contracted from the tropical climate.

African Americans faced more challenges by being discriminated.

Treaty of Paris December 10, 1898

The U.S. and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898, marking the end of the war.

Puerto Rico and Guam became territories of the U.S.

Spain surrendered the Philippines to the U.S. in exchange for $20 million.

Platt Amendment In 1901, the U.S.

agreed to grant Cubans full independence, but only if their new Constitution included clauses that gave the U.S. certain rights. This is known as the Platt Amendment.

New Government for Puerto Rico The Foraker Act in 1900,

established and controlled by the U.S., set up a new Puerto Rico Government.

In 1917 The Jones Act made Puerto Rico a territory of the U.S. and granted American citizenship to all Puerto Ricans, even though many Puerto Ricans still wanted independence.

Acquiring the Philippines Emilio Aguinaldo’s forces

began a fight for independence.

More than 4,000 Americans died and 200,000 Filipino’s soldiers and civilians died.

Summer of 1901, the U.S. transferred authority in the Philippines from the military to a civilian government headed by William Howard Taft and he set out to prepare the Philippines for eventual self rule, but they didn’t gain independence till 1946.