The SPANISH-AMERICAN War [APUSH Review Unit 7 Topic 3] Period 7: 1898-1945

Summary

In this episode of Heimler's History, the focus is on the Spanish-American War, a pivotal moment that propelled the U.S. into empire-building. The video discusses the influence of yellow journalism, which sensationalized Spanish atrocities in Cuba, swaying public opinion and leading to American intervention. It details the war's outcomes, including the conditional independence of Cuba under the Platt Amendment and the annexation of the Philippines, which sparked a long conflict with Filipino nationalists. The video also touches on the annexation of Hawaii and the Open Door Policy in China, illustrating America's expanding economic and political reach in the late 19th century.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The Spanish-American War was a significant event that propelled the United States into the realm of empire-building.
• 🗺️ American industrialists and politicians had a strong desire to expand their influence, with Cuba being a key territory of interest.
• 📰 Yellow journalism, led by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, played a role in shaping public opinion and support for intervention in Cuba.
• 🇪🇸 The Spanish were seen as oppressors in Cuba, and their actions were exaggerated by the media, influencing American sentiment.
• 💥 The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor was a catalyst for war, despite it later being found to be accidental.
• 🇺🇸 President McKinley's ultimatum to Spain and the subsequent declaration of war marked the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
• 🏆 The United States emerged victorious from the war, which had far-reaching effects beyond the conflict itself.
• 📜 The Platt Amendment significantly limited Cuba's independence by allowing the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs.
• 🌴 The annexation of the Philippines was a direct result of the war, leading to a prolonged conflict as the Filipinos resisted American rule.
• 🌐 The Open Door Policy was an attempt by the U.S. to maintain trade opportunities in China amidst European dominance in the region.

Q & A

What was the main reason American industrialists and politicians wanted to acquire Cuba?

American industrialists and politicians were eager to expand the American empire, and Cuba was a territory they very much wanted to acquire.

What role did yellow journalism play in the Spanish-American War?

Yellow journalists, competing for readership, published sensational stories that exaggerated Spanish atrocities against the Cubans, influencing public opinion and contributing to the call for American intervention in Cuba.

How did the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor impact the Spanish-American War?

The explosion, initially blamed on Spain by yellow journalists before an investigation, heightened tensions and was used as a pretext for war, despite later findings that the explosion was accidental.

What was the outcome of the Spanish-American War for Cuba?

Cuba gained independence from Spain as a result of the war, but its sovereignty was limited by the Platt Amendment, which allowed the U.S. to intervene militarily in Cuba if American interests were threatened.

Why did the United States annex the Philippines after the Spanish-American War?

The United States annexed the Philippines as part of its imperial expansion, viewing it as a strategic territory in the Pacific, and it was ceded to the U.S. for $20 million after the war.

What was the Filipino response to American rule after the Spanish-American War?

The Filipinos, initially expecting independence, resisted American rule under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo, leading to a three-year war and sporadic conflicts for a decade.

How did the annexation of Hawaii fit into the context of the Spanish-American War and American imperialism?

The annexation of Hawaii was part of America's imperial expansion, occurring in 1898 as the U.S. sought to control strategic territories in the Pacific, which was further motivated by the acquisition of the Philippines.

What was the Open Door Policy, and how did it relate to American economic interests in China?

The Open Door Policy was an initiative by John Hay, Secretary of State under President McKinley, to ensure equal trading rights for the U.S. in China by asking European powers to maintain open trading privileges, thus preserving American economic interests in the region.

How did the Spanish-American War lead to the United States becoming a global empire?

The war's outcomes, including the acquisition of territories like Cuba, the Philippines, and Hawaii, as well as the Open Door Policy in China, marked the beginning of the United States' expansion into a global empire with significant economic and military influence.

What was the Platt Amendment, and how did it affect Cuba's independence?

The Platt Amendment was a condition inserted into the Cuban constitution by the U.S. that allowed for American military intervention in Cuba if its economic interests were threatened, thereby limiting Cuba's full sovereignty and independence.