American History II Honors - Imperialism and the Great War |
Spanish-American War
Causes of the war
- The Cubans had constantly longed for freedom from Spanish rule and its unstable government in repeated rebellions, which were often violent. Rebels used guerrilla warfare to weaken the Spanish, which retaliated by using harsh tactics -- including depriving them of supplies and imprisoning them in reconcentration camps. The rebellions divided the American public into supporters and opponents of the Cuban revolution.
- The Yellow Press was a series of newspaper publications that presented dramatized headlines, pictures, and stories to disseminate disdain toward the Spanish government -- even leaking a private letter from a Spanish official -- Enrique Dupuy de Lome -- lampooning President McKinley as a "weak and stupid" politician. The publications ignited a furor -- jingoism -- in the American public against Spain.
- The Yellow Press blamed the explosion of the Maine, which killed two hundred sixty-six Americans, on Spain. Although there is not much evidence to corroborate this claim, the American public was quick to concur with the publishers, which added fuel to the flame, which grew into a conflagration against Spain. In 1898, Congress declares war on Spain.
Key People, Events, and Objectives
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Legislation
- In response to the aforementioned events that led to jingoism against Spain, in 1898, Congress declared war on Spain -- the United States Declaration of War on Spain.
- The Teller Amendment was an act that prevented the United States from keeping Cuba but neglected the Philippines; therefore, after the war, the United States kept the Philippines.
- The Treaty of Paris was the peace treaty ending the Spanish-American War; the treaty stated that Spain give up control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam, and sell the Philippines to the United States.
- The Anti-imperialist League was a league that denounced imperialism, which to its members, belied the constitutional ideals that founded their nation.
Impact/Significance (Consequences) of the WarThen - The repeated rebellions in Cuba, the dramatic publications of the Yellow Press, and the mystery of the Maine led to the United States Declaration of War on Spain. Roosevelt's Rough Riders and the Ninth and Tenth Calvary Regiment gained fame through their victories in the war. The Treaty of Paris -- the peace treaty -- diminished Spain's Latin American empire by taking away Cuba and Puerto Rico; it also took away Guam and the Philippines. As Spain weakened, the United States strengthened -- gaining the Philippines, thus expanding its empire and establishing its world power.
Now - Today, Spain's territory is significantly less than it was before the Spanish-American War and the Latin American revolutions. Spain has lost all of its Latin American territories -- including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Bolivia. In addition, the Philippines remains an independent, democratic nation and has adopted American culture -- including architecture, media, and music and dance. However, the nation faces a serious problem regarding potable water; many of its citizens lack access to the essential natural resource. |