Causes of the Spanish American War
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Transcript of Causes of the Spanish American War
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Causes of the Spanish American War
1898
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Humanitarian Concerns
• Stories of cruel treatment of Cubans by the Spanish – poverty, starvation, imprisonment
• Use of “reconcentration camps” by Spain led to the death of many innocent Cubans
• U.S. can’t help but be involved – “tugged at the heartstrings of the people”
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Economic Concerns
• Many U.S. business interests in Cuba were disrupted by war (banks, sugar plantations, hotels)
• The on-going civil war in Cuba was costing American businesses money
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Yellow Journalism
• U.S. newspapers ran exaggerated stories of the events in Cuba to increase circulation – blood, guts, & gory details sold papers
• Many stories sensationalized the events but Americans believed them to be true
• Public opinion → Anti-Spain
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The DeLôme Letter
• Letter from Spanish official “leaked” to the press
• Critical of President McKinley – called him “weak”, a “would-be politician” and a jingoist (aggressive nationalist)
• Considered an insult to the president & the nation
• Chances for peaceful negotiations were unlikely
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Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor
• 268 American sailors died• “State of the Art” American ship
destroyed• Uncertain of how it happened:
Spain attacked ?Boiler blew up ?Cubans sabotaged ?
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“Spain must be responsible”
• After hearing all the horrible things Spain had done
• American people didn’t want to wait for investigation
• Jumped to conclusion
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Immediate cause of War: The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine
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Newspapers told the story
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Results of the Spanish American War
• Treaty of Paris (1898)• Cuba → Independent• Platt Amendment to Cuban
Constitution makes Cuba a protectorate of the U.S.
• Puerto Rico & Guam ceded to U.S.• Philippines sold to U.S. ($20 million)
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Importance
• U.S. becomes a World Power with Colonies
• U.S. interests stretch around the world