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THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR Notes

The document summarizes the causes and key events of the Spanish-American War. Spanish atrocities against Cuban rebels seeking independence led to protests in the United States and sensationalized news coverage that inflamed public opinion. When the USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor, public demand for war increased. The U.S. declared war on Spain in April 1898 after Spain refused U.S. demands to grant Cuban independence. The war lasted 10 weeks, resulting in quick U.S. victories over the Spanish navy in Cuba and the Philippines. The Treaty of Paris ended the war, granting independence to Cuba and ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

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136 views4 pages

THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR Notes

The document summarizes the causes and key events of the Spanish-American War. Spanish atrocities against Cuban rebels seeking independence led to protests in the United States and sensationalized news coverage that inflamed public opinion. When the USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor, public demand for war increased. The U.S. declared war on Spain in April 1898 after Spain refused U.S. demands to grant Cuban independence. The war lasted 10 weeks, resulting in quick U.S. victories over the Spanish navy in Cuba and the Philippines. The Treaty of Paris ended the war, granting independence to Cuba and ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

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colleen719
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Colleen Rogers Block 5

The Spanish American War 9/14/10


THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

Causes of War:
NOT caused by US expansionists and imperialist
Merely exploited pre-existing conditions in Cuba
Spanish atrocities

Spanish Atrocities:
 Spanish misgovernment led to revolt in 1868-1978
February 1895
-New Civil War
-Partially Caused by Us Tariff (1894)—Cubans had to pay to trade raw
sugar in US(1) crushed economy & (2) brought to light bigger Spanish misgovernment

Cuban Revolt (1895)


Imperial Spanish vs. Cuban “insurrectos”
Savage methods used from both:
1.) Cubans—destroyed property, sugar mills, and cane fields
2.) Spanish General Valario Weyler
-“The Butcher”fighting guerilla warfare
-Re-concentration policy
-Barbed wire camps (2 years = 200,000 dead)

The Yellow Press: Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create
sensations and attract readers.
Further aroused US Jingoism
The Spaniards are evil
Circulation War
-William Randolph Hearst (NY Journal) VS Joseph Pulitzer (NY World)
- Say whatever to sell the paper
Propaganda Pictures by Frederic Remington
-Employed by Hearst (NY Journal
-Pictures of US women being “strip searched”
Even after 3 years of yellow journalism, the US did NOT move to war

Other Causes:
Protestants/ Moralists
Help out Cubans
”Moralistic Aggression”
No desire to annex Cuba
Outward Imperialists—Military Glory and Aggression
Teddy Roosevelt
Henry Cabot Lodge
Alfred Mahan
Colleen Rogers Block 5
The Spanish American War 9/14/10

U.S. Intervention:
President Cleveland resisted mounting pressures
Not giving Cuba belligerent rights
Not allowing gun running to Cuba
Changed in 1896:
-Speech rationalizing war
President McKinley tried to calm jingoist spirits (Keep Republican Party
united)
New Spanish Government attempted to change policies…
Removed Weyler
Gave Cubans some self-government (No independence)
Spaniards in Cuba—No Cuban rule
Cubans want independence

Other incidents/accidents pushed US closer to war


 DeLome Letter (February 9, 1898)
Stolen from Spanish minister to US was published
Insults McKinley
Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine
Battleship sent to guard US civilians in Havana
Blew up on February 15, 1898 (260 dead)
Investigations:
-US—External explosion
-Spain—internal explosion (*right)
US Senate voted for $50 million in defense spending (before investigation
complete)
March 19, 1898—Senator Proctor’s Speech
Tells of atrocities he saw while visiting Cuba
Convinces Neutrals in Congress

McKinley’s Proposal: (March 27, 1898)


March 27, 1898—Calls for end of re-concentration, armistice until Oct. 1, and
peace talks with insurgents through the US
March 28, 1898—McKinley sent telegram saying Cuban independence a
necessary outcome for successful negotiations
McKinley didn’t want war, but wanted to keep Republicans unified
Spain’s Dilemma:
If Spain says no—risk war with US
Probably lose all overseas empires
If it says yes—risk revolution
Government will be seen as weak
Asks for European intervention
-European powers only ask McKinley not to go to war
Colleen Rogers Block 5
The Spanish American War 9/14/10
-Will not militarily back Spain
Spain’s Response:
Message sent on March 31, 1898
Stop re-concentration and grant armistice
April 9th—Spain stops hostilities on its own
April 10th—Tells US it cant give US its independence
US Minister in Spain believes peace can be achieved during armistice

Leading up to the War:


April 11—McKinley gives speech to Congress (little mention of Spain’s
Concessions)
April 19—Congress passes resolution to recognize Cuban independence
Also passes Teller Amendment
US will not annex Cuba (nothing about other Spanish possessions)

April 24—Spain declares war


April 25—US declares war

Spanish-American War:
Over in 10 weeks
John Hay called it “The Splendid Little War”
Confirmed a romantic view towards war
Most popular of US wars
-Over before war weariness set in
Capture of Philippines:
US developed Naval Plan in 1896 (in case of war)
Commodore George Dewey’s Fleet sent to Hong Kong
Capture Manila Bay (Philippines) on April 30, 1898
Destroyed Spanish Naval power in Pacific
Army:
Army much less prepared
Expeditionary Force—26,000 troops
No plans, strategy ect.
Embarked from Tampa, Florida
General William Shafter in charge
Transportation broke down “yellow plague” broke out
Scapegoat—Secretary of War Russell Alger
Spanish fleet blockaded in Santiago Harbor
Easy to land US Army (June 20, 1898)
18,000 US vs. 200,000 Spanish
Only 13,000 at landing site
 Bad Communication plus hostile population in revolt

Rough Riders:
Colleen Rogers Block 5
The Spanish American War 9/14/10
 Most famous unit of war
Commanded by Leonard Wood
Teddy Roosevelt second-in-command

Battle of San Juan Hill:


US objective was San Juan Hill (overlooking Santiago)
July 2, 1898—Captured Kettle Hill
July 3, 1898—Spanish fleet attempts to leave Santiago Harbor and is sunk (400
dead)

The End of the War:


July 16, 1898—Spanish surrender in Cuba
July 21, 189800General Nelson A. Miles lands in Puerto Rico
Captured by August 12th, 1898
Dewey waits for US troops to arrive in Philippines
Captures Manila by August 14th, 1898
Assisted by Emiio Aguinaldo and Filipino insurgents
Armistice arranged between countries on August 12, 1898
Spain sued for peace and July 18, 1898
What took so long?
Spain agreed to give up control of Cuba
Conference set for October 1, 1898 in Paris would work out peace and future of
other Spanish imperial possession.

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