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ROSA ACEVEDO CASTELLANO
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
ASSIGNEMENT 15
UNITED STATES HISTORY -
WHAT WAS THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR?
The Spanish-American War (1898) was a conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. -
REASONS: WHY?
- ECONOMIC: Revolution with Spain endangered theU.S business interests.
- HUMANITARIAN: 1. Americans sympathize with Cuba
2.They were upset with Commander Weyler´s harsh treatment. - EXPANSIONIST: 1. Teddy Roosevelt
2. Henry Cabot Lodge
3. John Jay - YELLOW JOURNALISM
- SINKING OF THE MAINE
- LOME LETTER
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CAUSES
- Military aggression of the U.S.
- Explosion of USS Maine furthered Americans anger
- Americans were angry over the treatment of Cubans by Spain
- McKinley pressured into declaring war on Spain
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CONSEQUENCES
- Spain lost last colonies
- U.S. acquired colonies (Philippines, Puerto Rico,...)
- U.S. recognized as a world power
- Sets precedent for intervention & use of force in Latin American affairs
- Opened markets in Cuba and elsewhere
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Cuba fights for independence from Spain
As Cuba struggles to win its freedom from Spain, American newspapers publish sensational stories about the Spain's brutality toward the Cubans.
Some Americans begin to call for the U.S. to get involved in the fight. -
Spain announces an armistice with Cuba
Spain agrees to an armistice, which will halt the fighting with Cuba.
However, Spain only agrees to allow Cuba to have limited self-government and the U.S.
Congress gives President William McKinley the right to use force against Spain. -
President McKinley reluctantly asks Congress to declare war on Spain
Even though McKinley hoped to avoid war, he asks Congress to declare war on Spain. McKinley is pressured by American newspapers that call him a weak president for not standing up to Spain. -
The U.S. and Spain sign the Treaty of Paris
The Spanish-American War officially ends when the U.S. and Spain sign the Treaty of Paris. The U.S. takes possession of Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico for $20 million. -
The Philippines declares itself an independent republic
The Philippines rejects U.S. rule and declares itself an independent republic, beginning the Philippine-American war. After the U.S. defeats the Philippines, revolution leader Emilio Aguinaldo is captured and forced to pledge allegiance to the American government. -
The Foraker Act establishes the structure of government in Puerto Rico.
After the U.S. takes possession of Puerto Rico, it is necessary to set up a government.
The Foraker Act calls for elements including a governor, a House of Representatives, and a Supreme Court. -
U.S. withdraws from Cuba
The Treaty of Paris calls for Cuba to be independent from the U.S.
The U.S. helped free the country from Spain.
American troops withdraw from Cuba, although Cuba will experience years of turbulent leadership in the decades to come.
