The Spanish American War

1. The Spanish American War

2. Events Leading to the War • 1868-1878 – 1st Cuban Rebellion seeking independence from Spain • 1895 – 2nd Cuban Rebellion due to an economic collapse • Spain sent Gen. Valeriano Weyler + 150,000 troops to Cuba & began “reconcentration.” In 2 years’ time, ~200,000 died of disease or starvation • Cuban exiles in the U.S. asked U.S. to intervene; U.S. refused

3. To get U.S. involved, Cuban rebels destroyed American-owned sugar plantations and mills (U.S. had more than $50 million invested in Cuba) • American business owners asked government to intervene • Pressure to get involved also came from newspapers. Joseph Pulitzer & William Hearst used yellow journalism to compete with each other, telling exaggerated stories about Cuba • American support of the Cuban rebels increased

4. 1898 – riots broke out in Havana • Feb. 1898 – President McKinley sent U.S.S. Maine to Havana to protect American citizens & property • Feb. 15, 1898 – U.S.S. Maine mysteriously exploded, killing over 250 American sailors • American newspapers blamed Spain and coined the phrase “Remember the Maine!”

5. Asst. Secretary of the Navy, T. Roosevelt, sent word to Admiral Dewey & other naval commanders in the Philippines to prepare to attack the Spanish fleet if war broke out • April 1898 – Pres. McKinley asked Spain to release Cubans from concentration camps, pay for the Maine, and grant Cuba independence • Although Spain accepted most of these demands, the U.S. Congress authorized a declaration of war on Spain

6. Results • U.S. won easily in a matter of months • More U.S. soldiers died of disease than in battle (only about 400) • Signed Treaty of Paris. Spain agreed to: • Give Cuba independence • Give Guam and Puerto Rico to the U.S. • Sell the Philippines to the U.S. for $20mil

7. After the War • Many Americans unhappy with imperialism – “we don’t have the right to rule others!” • Filipinos, who expected independence, declared war on the U.S. • 3 years, ~4,500 U.S. soldier casualties, ~20,000 Filipino soldier casualties + 200,000 CIVILIANS (this further angered the American people) • U.S.-led gov’t after the war • U.S. President appoints Filipino governor, who (along with Filipino citizens) appoints the legislature • Philippines not fully independent until 1946

8. After the War • Cuba • Independent, but w/ American influence • U.S. military gov’t for 3 years • Good: schools, economic stability, cure for yellow fever • Bad: Cuba wanted full independence • To satisfy the U.S., they drafted a constitution + Platt Amendment: • Cuba couldn’t enter into other foreign agreements • U.S. got 2 naval bases in Cuba • U.S. could intervene whenever necessary • Conditions lasted until 1934

9. After the War • Puerto Rico • Did not become independent • “incorporated” in 1917 – PR people get U.S. citizenship • Guam • Remained “unincorporated” U.S. territory

10. Other Gains in the Pacific • Hawaii • 1887 trade treaty: U.S. could sell Hawaiian sugar duty-free in the states; Hawaii leased Pearl Harbor as a refueling station • Many whites living in Hawaii working on sugar plantations  new generation of Hawaiian-born whites – take control of gov’t from King Kalakaua • King died in 1891, his sister, Queen Liliuokalani, took over. Wanted to reduce U.S. control in Hawaii • Sanford B. Dole removed her from power in 1893 & took over – asked U.S. to annex Hawaii. Congress approved in 1898.

11. Samoa • 1878 treaty: U.S. would protect Samoa; U.S. could lease harbor at Pago Pago • Britain & Germany also wanted this territory – divided it 3 ways in 1889 • Britain backed out in 1899 – Germany & U.S. split the territory. U.S. acquired Pago Pago; section now called “American Samoa”

12. Open Door policy in China • Many countries seeking spheres of influence (areas of economic & political control) in China: • Russia, Germany, France, Japan, Great Britain, U.S. • Open Door Policy: In 1899, Secretary of State John Hay wrote to these countries suggesting an “open door” to China • everyone would have equal access to China’s markets, no exclusivity

13. Open Door (cont’d) • Chinese didn’t want foreign influence at all • Righteous & Harmonious Fists (“Boxers”) rebelled in 1900, killing 300 foreigners & Chinese Christians • “Boxer Rebellion” • Rebellion ended by Europeans • Secretary Hay thought they would use this as an excuse to claim Chinese territory • He wrote another series of “open door” demands

14. In 1902, when several European countries sent warships to force Venezuela to repay its debts, Roosevelt announced a corollary, or addition, to the Monroe Doctrine. To keep European nations out of Latin America, he claimed that the United States had a right to intervene in Latin America to preserve law and order. The United States would use “international police power” to force Latin Americans to pay their debts. • For the next 20 years, Presidents used the Roosevelt Corollary to intervene in Latin America. Theodore Roosevelt Approaches to Foreign Affairs Chapter 23, Section 3 Gradually President Roosevelt and succeeding Presidents established a policy of intervening in Latin America, especially when disturbances threatened American lives, property, and interests there. Roosevelt = Roosevelt Corollary/Big Stick in Latin America Taft = Dollar Diplomacy Wilson = Moral Diplomacy

15. William Howard Taft • Taft wanted to “substitute dollars for bullets.” He urged American bankers to invest in Latin America. His policy of building economic ties became known as dollar diplomacy. • American investors helped build roads, railroads, harbors, and other improvements. • However, American businesses often meddled in the political affairs of host countries. Sometimes, the United States used military force to keep order and keep European countries out of desirable territories. Woodrow Wilson • Wilson said, “The force of America is the force of moral principle.” Through his moral diplomacy, Wilson said the U.S. should refuse to recognize any government that was oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to U.S. interests. • Nevertheless, Wilson sent troops to Latin America several times. For example, he sent marines to Haiti in 1915, where they remained until 1934. Approaches to Foreign Affairs Chapter 23, Section 3