The Spanish American War

Notes Page

• For centuries, Cuba had been controlled by Spain. Cubans were fighting for independence.

U.S. businessmen were worried about destruction of trade, government leaders worried about a rebellion, and the American people were concerned about atrocities (violence/abuse) against Cuban citizens.

• President McKinley wanted to stay neutral.

• What new information might have changed the U.S. involvement in the war? Finding out that the sinking of the Maine was an accident.

The U.S. was forced to be involved after what incident? The sinking of the Battleship Maine by the Spanish.

What was causing many Americans to get more interested in going to war? Yellow Journalism

• What did the Filipinos have in common with the Cubans? Both wanted independence from Spain.

• What happened at Manila Bay in the Philippines? U.S. launched a surprise attack on the Spanish fleet and destroyed most of their ships.

• What did Teddy Roosevelt do to contribute to the war after leaving his job with the navy? He led the 1st regiment of the U.S. Calvary volunteers (called the Rough Riders)

• What happened in the battle of Santiago Bay? American troops blocked the coast and trapped the Spanish Fleet, heavy fighting took place and eventually the Spanish were defeated.

• After defeating the Spanish in Cuba, we quickly landed in Puerto Rico and claimed it as well.

• Spain signed an armistice or peace agreement, ending the war.

• The war lasted fewer than 4 months and 400 U.S. soldiers were killed in battle.

• More than 2,000 U.S. troops died from diseases. • The treaty to end the war was called the Treaty of Paris.• In this treaty, the U.S. received 3 things:

a. Cuba became an American protectorateb. Puerto Rico and Guam became U.S. territoriesc. Spain sold us the Philippines for $20 million dollars.

• People who did not want to take over new lands were called anti-imperialists. They did not like this because: – they felt it contradicted with principles on which the

U.S. was founded, – worried about the large army needed to protect new

territories, – and feared competition with Filipino workers.

• Why did some people like getting all this new land? – Because it showed the world we had power – and were willing to fight to keep the peace around the world.

• Why do you think the Filipino and Cubans were mad at the U.S. after the war (you have to think about this one)?

We helped them, and then we took over their country!