The Spanish American War 5.2

Learn about the Spanish American War and its impact on US history!

The Spanish American War During the 1890's, opposition to Spanish rule began to gain ground in Cuba. In 1898, the Spanish-American War erupted between Spain and the United States, after the USS Maine, a battleship sent to protect American interests in Cuba, mysteriously exploded. (No one really knows who blew up the Maine.) The practice of yellow journalism followed the ships's explosion. Certain American papers published sensationalist stories and photos of the sinking of the USS Maine, causing an uproar among the American public. The United States positioned itself as Cuba's protector, though Americans were equally interested in expanding influence in Latin America. During what John Hay described aa "a splendid little war," future president Theodore Roosevelt led his Rough Riders cavalry unit to victory at the Battle of San Juan. Among those who valiantly fought during the eleven-week conflict were four units of African American soldiers. Despite the initial focus on Cuba, the first shots fired during the Spanish-American War were in the Philippines, another Spanish colony. With the help of Filipino rebels, Americans captured the city of Manila, seized the island of Luzon, and declared the Philippines independent of Spain. A failed Filipino revolt against the United States followed. The Philippines achieved complete independence in 1946. The United States and Spain signed a treaty in late 1898 that transferred control of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the U.S., effectively nullifying Spain's colonial presence in the Caribbean and the Pacific. In 1901, the United States granted Cuba independence, providing that Cuba agreed to the Platt Amendment. This legislation prohibited Cuba from making treaties with other nations and gave America control of the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, which is still in use today. After an interim American government, Puerto Rico became a US territory in 1917 and its residents became American citizens. What is the goal of the Yellow Journalism style news? To sell papers To provide facts for the readers To open new businesses What name was given to Theodore Roosevelt's troops during the Spanish American War? Teddy's Troops Buffalo Soldiers Rough Riders Doughboys What event marked the official start of the Spanish American War? The sinking of the Titanic The sinking of the Lusitania The bombing of Pearl Harbor The sinking of the USS Maine What term was used to describe sensational stories created by the newspapers to gain readers? Tabloids Fake News Yellow Journalism Liar Liar Pants on Fire What location marked the earliest battles of the Spanish American War? Cuba Guam Puerto Rico The Philippines What was the true motivation of the United States in fighting the Spanish American War? To build an American empire To free the Cubans of Colonial Rule To fight a Splendid little war To avenge the USS Maine What territory was not considered part of the US at the end of the Spanish American War? Cuba Guam Philippines Puerto Rico What does America still retain access to on account of winning the Spanish American War? The Panama Canal Guantanamo Bay Hong Kong The Philippines What allowed Cuba to govern itself with the exception of foreign negotiations? Teller Amendment 1st Amendment Platt Amendment The Treaty of Paris 1898 True or False: Puerto Ricans are considered American citizens. True False The Spanish-American War This video summarizes the US involvement in the war between Cuba and Spain. Spanish American War Why did the US become interested in the war between Cuba and Spain? The United States felt sympathy for the Cubans and also had business interests in Cuba. The United States wanted to stop the policy of isolationism. The United States wanted to steal from European nations. The United States thought Cuba would be easy to overtake Who pushed to go to war with Spain? Cuba Spain The American Public True or False: The victory over Spain was difficult. True False Looking at the map above, the Phillipines were ruled by the Spanish. Why do you think the United States was interested in the Phillipines?