Objective 3.3 -- The Spanish-American War

Summary

The Spanish-American War of 1898 marked a pivotal moment in U.S. history, transforming the nation into a global power. Tensions with Spain over Cuban independence, fueled by yellow journalism and the explosion of the USS Maine, led to war. The U.S. achieved rapid victories in the Philippines and Cuba, gaining territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The Treaty of Paris ended the war, establishing the U.S. as a military force and signaling the start of its imperial expansion. The war's swift success was a defining moment in America's rise to prominence on the world stage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Spanish-American War was sparked by rising tensions between the U.S. and Spain, particularly over Cuba and the Philippines.
• 😀 Yellow journalism played a key role in inflaming public opinion, with exaggerated reports of Spanish atrocities in Cuba.
• 😀 The Delome letter in 1898, where a Spanish minister insulted U.S. President McKinley, further escalated tensions between the two nations.
• 😀 The explosion of the USS *Maine* in Havana Harbor in February 1898 was a pivotal event that propelled the U.S. into war with Spain.
• 😀 The U.S. quickly declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898, after several provocations, including the *Maine* incident and the Delome letter.
• 😀 The U.S. Navy achieved a swift and decisive victory in the Philippines under Commodore George Dewey, sinking the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.
• 😀 The Philippines, which had been under Spanish rule for over 400 years, joined forces with the U.S. to fight for independence, leading to Spanish defeat.
• 😀 In Cuba, U.S. forces, including Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, played a crucial role in defeating Spanish forces, particularly in the Battle of San Juan Hill.
• 😀 The Spanish-American War resulted in the U.S. gaining new territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
• 😀 The Treaty of Paris (1898) ended the war, granting Cuba independence as a U.S. protectorate and officially marking the U.S. as a global imperial power.
• 😀 The war was referred to as a 'splendid little war' because of its quick duration and decisive victory, boosting U.S. military power and international standing.

Q & A

What were the main reasons behind the Spanish-American War?

The Spanish-American War was driven by several factors, including the Cuban Revolution, economic interests like American investments in Cuban sugar, sensationalist yellow journalism, the insult in the Delome letter, and the explosion of the USS Maine, which further stoked anti-Spanish sentiment.

How did yellow journalism influence American involvement in the war?

Yellow journalism exaggerated stories of Spanish atrocities in Cuba to stir up public emotions. Newspapers like those owned by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst sensationalized events, spreading images and stories designed to rally Americans toward war with Spain.

What was the significance of the Delome Letter in escalating tensions with Spain?

The Delome Letter, in which Spanish Ambassador Enrique delome insulted U.S. President William McKinley, was seen as a personal affront. It enraged Americans, contributing to growing hostility toward Spain and further pushing the U.S. toward war.

How did the explosion of the USS Maine contribute to the start of the war?

The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor killed over 250 American sailors. Though the cause was uncertain, yellow journalism immediately blamed Spain, turning the event into a rallying cry for war with the slogan 'Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!'

What happened in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War?

In the Philippines, U.S. forces, led by Admiral George Dewey, destroyed the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay. This victory allowed U.S. Marines to collaborate with Filipino rebels, resulting in the liberation of the Philippines from Spanish control.

What role did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders play in the war?

Teddy Roosevelt, leading the Rough Riders, played a pivotal role in the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba. Their victory there was crucial for the U.S. Army, and Roosevelt's leadership turned him into a national hero.

How did the Treaty of Paris change the global landscape after the war?

The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1898, ended the war and resulted in Spain ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. It marked the U.S.'s rise as a global imperial power with new territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Why was the Spanish-American War referred to as a 'splendid little war'?

The war was dubbed a 'splendid little war' due to its swift victory, minimal American casualties, and the overwhelming success of U.S. military efforts, which led to substantial territorial gains.

What territories did the United States gain as a result of the Spanish-American War?

Following the war, the U.S. gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, while Cuba gained nominal independence but became a U.S. protectorate.

How did the Spanish-American War change the United States' position in world politics?

The war marked the U.S.'s emergence as a global power. With its military strength respected worldwide and new overseas territories, the United States solidified its role as an imperial force and player on the international stage.