Spanish-American WarLatin American Issues

Spanish-American War

1868 Series of Cuban revolts (Jose Marti)

Americans sympathetic

Because similar struggle in American Revolution

Geographically close Media dramatized events

Maine

President McKinley reluctant to get involved

deLome letter ridiculed him

USS Maine mysteriously blew up > 260 died

The Philippines

U.S. attacked Spain in Philippines American

advantage with better ships & technology

U.S. won decisive victory (not 1 died vs. 400 Spanish deaths)

George Dewey planned attack at capital city (Manila) Partner with Emilio

Aguinaldo (rebel Filipino leader)

Spanish surrendered 1898

Cuba

U.S. recognized Cuban independence > Teller Amendment Once Cuba free

from Spanish, U.S. leaves gov’t to people

U.S. not as prepared for this war

Famous volunteers = Rough Riders

With persistence, Spanish troops in Cuba surrender & U.S. defeated troops in Puerto Rico

Results

Spain gave up claims to Cuba; ceded Puerto Rico & Guam

Gave Philippines to U.S. for $20 million

Cost U.S. $250 million & 2000 died (mostly from yellow fever)

U.S. annexed Philippines > Aguinaldo fought back > full independence 1946

Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy

Cuba – Platt Amendment: Limited Cuba’s ability to

sign treaties with others US right to intervene Required to sell/ lease

land to US Protectorate Eventually repealed but

Guantanamo Bay base maintained

Puerto Rico Not protectorate

but territory 1952 considered a

“self-governing commonwealth” with U.S. controlling interstate trade, immigration & military affairs

Platt Amendment

Panama Canal

Faster route to connect Atlantic & Pacific Oceans

1880s French tried through Panama (controlled by Columbia) > bankrupt

1900s Secretary of State John Hay negotiate with Columbia but refused to ratify

Panama Revolution

Panamanians tried to break free from Columbia > Roosevelt supported

U.S. recognized Panama’s independence

Treaty allowed U.S. in 10-mile zone

Harsh conditions to build canal: yellow fever, malaria

Completed in 1914

Roosevelt Corollary

Late 1800s Europe & U.S. invested money into Latin

America

1904 Dominican Republic unable to pay Europe debt >

U.S. fears Europeans will use force >

Roosevelt Corollary

Big Stick Policy

Pledge to use military force to prevent Europe from taking control

Stability in Latin America

Diplomacy

Taft US involvement in Latin America deepened

> protect U.S. interests Taft suggested U.S. buy out European loans 1914 U.S. invested $1.6 billion Substitute dollars for bullets > Dollar

Diplomacy

Wilson Moral Diplomacy: use of persuasion &

American ideals to advance U.S. interests