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The Spanish American War 1898. The US continues to “look out” after gaining territory from Spain. Cuba. Spain controlled Cuba since the 1400s Cuban rebels were trying to free Cuba Many Americans were sympathetic with the Cuban Rebels Some Americans had invested in the sugar industry in Cuba.
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The Spanish American War 1898 The US continues to “look out” after gaining territory from Spain
Cuba Spain controlled Cuba since the 1400s Cuban rebels were trying to free Cuba Many Americans were sympathetic with the Cuban Rebels Some Americans had invested in the sugar industry in Cuba
Spain attempted to crush the Cuban Rebels! • Spanish General Weyler was sent to end the rebellion • Weyler destroyed sugar plantations and put Cubans in concentration camps • Many Americans felt sorry for the Cubans and felt their cause was similar to our revolution against England.
“Butcher Weyler” as he became known said “I love animals more than humans” • Weyler had approximately 300,000 Cubans moved into the camps with little food or water
War Fever in the US • Yellow Journalism- “You furnish the pictures, I’ll furnish the war” • News stories about Cuba “whipped up” public opinion in the US • Some of the stories were exaggerated • Both President Cleveland and McKinley wanted to avoid a war with Spain • A Spanish diplomat wrote a letter insulting President McKinley. The letter was published in US newspapers angering Americans even more • Many Americans wanted war…either to help the Cuban Rebels or to protect sugar companies or both • The Teller Amendment
USS MAINE • The Battleship Maine moved into Havana Harbor to show support for the Cubans • On February 15, 1898 the battleship USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor killing 274 • “Remember the Maine to H*%$ with Spain” becomes the battle cry across the U.S. • Spain denied causing the Maine explosion (now we know that to be true)
The War itself • The US declares war on April 25, 1898 • On May 1, the US Navy destroyed the Spanish Navy sitting in the Philippine Islands and trapped other Spanish ships parked in Cuba (Teddy Roosevelt was US Secretary of the Navy) • In June, US troops landed in Cuba • Teddy Roosevelt resigned his political post and helped organize a cavalry regiment known as the “Rough Riders”
The Rough Riders Were made up of Americans from a variety of backgrounds Cowboys, Harvard Graduates, Native Americans, Hispanics There were no African Americans as they were still segregated (Buffalo Soldiers) Teddy Roosevelt’s legend grows as one of their officers They are famous as cavalry but actually fought on foot The Rough Riders and Buffalo Soldiers capture San Juan and Kettle Hill
Spain surrenders in July 1898 • The Treaty of Paris officially ends the war on December 10, 1899 • There are 3,289 US deaths • 2,957 died from disease the rest were killed by bullets(352) • Spain granted freedom to Cuba • The Platt Amendment (see Wiki) • The US received Puerto Rico, Guam, Wake Island and purchased the Philippines from Spain