Spanish-AmericanWar
Chapter 22, Section 3
Pgs. 649-654
Yellow Journalism
Sensational, biased,and often falsereporting
Armistice
A peace agreement
Protectorate
A country that is technically independentbut actually under the control of anothercountry.
Spanish Rule in Cuba
Jose Marti led his people in a newrevolt.
Rebels burned sugarcane fields anddestroyed buildings
In retaliation Spanish troops herdedCuban people into camps to separatethem from the rebels and to break theirmorale.
Thousands of Cubans died of starvation anddisease
Cuban Sympathy
Businesspeople
Worried about the loss of trade and their loss ofinvestments in Cuba
Government leaders
Concerned about a rebellion so close to the U.S.
Other Americans
Were horrified by the atrocities against Cubancivilians
War Fever
The press reported the tragedy in Cuba ingraphic detail.
Each publication tried to outdo each otherwith shocking reports.
Hearst supposedly told an artist who wasillustrating a story on Cuba, “You finish thepictures, and I’ll furnish the war.”
Maine
McKinley sent the battleship to protectAmerican citizens and property whenrioting broke out in the Cuban capital ofHavana.
Remember the Maine
The ship remained anchored forthree weeks without incident.
On Feb. 15, 1898, an enormousexplosion shattered the Maine, killing260.
American newspapers immediatelyblamed the Spaniards with theheadline, “Remember the Maine!”
Spain denied responsibility, butAmericans wanted war.
April 19, 1898
Congress recognized Cubanindependence.
Congress demanded the withdrawal ofSpanish forces
Congress authorized the president to usethe army and navy to enforce Americanaims.
On April 25, 1898, Congress declared waron Spain.
The Philippines
The war actually began in the Philippines.
Most of the Spanish fleet was docked inManila Bay.
On May 1, 1898, Commodore Deweylaunched a surprise attack on the Spanishfleet, destroying most of its fleet.
This crippled the Spaniards ability to sendreinforcements to fight us in Cuba.
San Juan Hill
The U.S. had blockaded a Spanish fleet in theharbor of Santiago in late May.
On July 1, the Rough Riders stormed San JuanHill and after intense fighting captured it.
Two days later the Spanish fleet tried to break outof Santiago and was destroyed.
The two defeats ended Spanish resistance inCuba.
Puerto Rico
The U.S. turned its attention to the Spanishcolony of Puerto Rico.
American troops landed there in late Julyand on August 12 the Spanish signed anarmistice ending the war.
“ A splendid little war”
John Hay called it splendid because thewar lasted fewer than four months and onlyabout 400 Americans lost their lives.
Treaty of Paris
The official end of the war was onDecember 10, 1898 with the signing of theTreaty of Paris.
Terms of the treaty:
Cuba became an American protectorate.
Puerto Rico and Guam became Americanterritories.
Spain surrendered the Philippines for $20 million.
Platt Amendment
In 1901 the U.S. agreed to grant Cubansfull independence, but only if they agreed tothe Platt Amendment.
Prohibited Cuba from making treaties with othernations
Gave America control of a naval base atGuantanamo Bay.
Gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cubanaffairs if their independence was threatened.
Philippines
In February 1899, EmilioAguinaldo’s forces began afight for independence.
More than 4,000 Americansdied.
At least 200,000 Filipinosoldiers and civilians died.
Aguinaldo was captured in1901.
Taft established a civiliangovernment.
