The Spanish-American War and the Root Reforms

1. The Spanish-American War and the Root Reforms

2. The problem in Cuba . . . • Significant U.S. economic interests in Cuba. • Revolution (off and on) in Cuba since 1868. • Resumes in 1895 • U.S. interests want stability. • 1896: General ValerianoWeyler sent to suppress the rebellion. • Weyler’smethods were brutal. • Reconcentrado policy

3. The problem in Cuba . . . the U.S. “war faction” • Humanitarians • “Jingoists” • Elements of the Republican Party • Expansionists . . . and the “Yellow Press”

4. William Randolph Hurst The New York Journal Joseph Pulitzer The New York World

6. January 1898, USS Maine arrives in Havana

7. The slide toward war . . . • McKinley was opposed to war. • 9 FEB, Hurst publishes “DeLome Letter” “. . . McKinley is weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave a door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party”.

8. 18 February 1898 USS Maine blows up.

9. The slide toward war . . . • 25 February: Roosevelt instructs Navy to attack Philippines in the event of war. • 11 April: McKinley calls for intervention in Cuba. • Approved 20 April • 20 April: Teller Amendment Teller Amendment. • 23April: Spain declares war on the U.S.

10. 1 May 1898 Battle of Manila Bay

12. 22-24 June US troops land in Cuba

18. Hawaii annexed 7 July

19. Sanford Dole American businessmen took over Hawaii in 1893. Queen Lili‘uokalani’

20. 17 July: Santiago surrenders to General William Shafter • 12 August: Spain signs armistice • 13 August: US troops capture Manila

21. Costs . . . • $250,000,000 • 5,462 Americans dead • 385 KIA • 5,077 of disease • 1,604 WIA

22. Results . . . The Treaty of Paris, 1898 • Cuba would become independent • Temporary American occupation • Platt Amendment • Spain would assume Cuban debt. • U.S. acquires: • Puerto Rico • Guam • Philippines (for $20 million)

23. The American Empire, 1898

24. The American Empire, 1898

25. Election of 1900 • Imperialism the major issue. • McKinley wins. 295 to 155 • 6 September, 1901 McKinley shot.

26. “That damn cowboy’s President!”

27. The Filipino-American War

28. The Filipino-American War1898-1902(?) • Vicious and brutal (both sides). • Significant American war crimes. • Aguinaldo eventually captured. • Taft’s teachers. • Roosevelt declares war over 4 July 1902. • Americans and Filipinos eventually develop a close relationship.

29. Summary . . . • Spanish-American War makes U.S. an international power. • America’s new role accepted by most Americans. • The Navy’s performance reinforced the ideas of Mahan. • The Army’s performance left much to be desired.

30. China Relief Expedition1900-1901 • Commander, BG Adna Chaffee • 9th and 14th Infantry Regiments • Detachment, 6th Cavalry • Battery F, 5th Artillery • Battalion, U.S. Marines

31. China Relief Expedition • British • French • Italian • Russian • German • Austrian • Japanese Multinational force, 19,000 troops. Americans worked with:

32. The “Root Reforms” • Army’s performance in the war with Spain had been poor. • Outdated organization; Staff and Line • Archiac equipment • No real planning capability • Elihu Root become Secretary of War, 1899. • a corporate lawyer

33. The “Root Reforms” • Elihu Root become Secretary of War, 1899. • a corporate lawyer

34. The “Root Reforms” • Weapons improvements: • 1903 Springfield replaces the Krag • Knife bayonet replaces rod bayonet • Smokeless powder replaces black powder • New 3 in. artillery field piece • Experimentation begun with machine guns • .45 M1911 Colt pistol replaces the .38 caliber revolver

36. 3-inch M1902 field gun

37. Colt Lewis Hotchkiss

39. Colt M1892 S&W .38 Special 1898

41. The “Root Reforms” • The General Staff Bill • Root reads Upton’s Military Policy of the United States • LTC William Carter helps convince him • Congress passes the bill in 1903.

42. The General Staff

43. Improved education . . . • Army War College • General Staff and service College • Service Schools: • Artillery • Engineer • Submarine Defense (mines and torpedeos) • Cavalry and Field Artillery • Medical Corps • Signal Corps

44. Regulars vs. the Militia • Militia Act of 1903, “Dick Act” reforms the militia • “Organized Militia” National Guard • Reserve Militia • Federal $$ made available to National Guard • Drills twice a month • Annual training • Regulars could be detailed to the Guard • President could proscribe length of Federal service • President could appoint all officers while in Federal Service.

45. Higher Echelon Organization • Largest peacetime organization = regiment. • 1910, General Staff draws plans for divisional organization. • Provisional division formed in 1911. • Average strength of the Army 1902-1911 = 75,000 • Average installation strength = 700

46. The Army continued its non-military functions. • Provided governmental services in American colonies. • Projected American power in “operations other than war.” • “Little Wars” • Built the Panama Canal

47. Then came Mexico . . .and war in Europe.