DBQ Prep: Spanish American War (1890-1910)

Question 1

What are the two main reasons for the start of the Spanish American War?

Answer 1

1. Economics - financial panic in 1893
2. Competition with other countries

Question 2

Why did Teddy Roosevelt feel like we had to go to war?

Answer 2

to compete/show our strength as a nation

Question 3

social darwinism

Answer 3

the theory that certain people become powerful in society because they are innately better

Question 4

yellow journalism

Answer 4

refers to sensationalistic or biased stories that newspapers present as objective truth

Question 5

Why did the US support Cuba’s independence movement?

Answer 5

The US had millions of dollars invested in businesses in Cuba, there many US citizens who resided in Cuba, and the US traded goods with Cuba.

Question 6

What was the effect of the McKinley Tariff of 1890 on Hawaiian sugar?

Answer 6

Hawaiian sugar became too expensive for people to buy. → The people of Hawaii overthrew the government, so that they could be a part of the US and obtain sugar for cheaper prices.

Question 7

What event caused the US to declare war on Spain?

Answer 7

The explosion of battleship U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor was blamed on Spain, and it was the “perfect” excuse to justify war.

Question 8

Why did the US invade Puerto Rico and Cuba in 1898?

Answer 8

The US believed that they were freeing inhabitants from Spanish colonial rule. (social darwinism)

Question 9

In December 1898, what 3 things did the signing of the Treaty of Paris accomplish?

Answer 9

1. The Spanish-American War officially ended.
2. Spain agreed to free Cuba and to cede the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico to the US.
3. The US agreed to pay Spain $20 million for the Philippines.

Question 10

How did yellow journalism “play up” Teddy Roosevelt in the press?

Answer 10

The press called him a “heroic figure” and a “national hero”. Journalists also said that the victory gives US an empire because Cuba became part of the US, and the US had control of Guam, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and Hawaii.

Question 11

Teller Amendment

Answer 11

Proclaimed the US would not establish permanent control of Cuba.

Question 12

Platt Amendment

Answer 12

Forced Cuba to agree to American diplomatic, economic, and military intervention and to lease Guantanamo Bay for American use. (ie prevented Cuba from going into debt, making deals with other countries, etc.)

Question 13

Why does the US lease a military base in Guantanamo Bay?

Answer 13

The US leased a military base in Guantanamo Bay to maintain the “independence” of Cuba.

Question 14

What caused the Filipino insurrection?

Answer 14

The desire for independence; the Filipinos realized they had traded one imperial power for another (Spain for the US).

Question 15

In 1901, what becomes the result of Filipino insurrection?

Answer 15

The Philippines became a US territory.

Question 16

Insular Cases

Answer 16

A line of supreme court cases from 1901 to 1922 that limit the extension of constitutional rights to certain US territories.

Question 17

What did the Supreme Court decide would happen to Puerto Ricans, Filipinos, etc. under our rule?

Answer 17

The Court rules that Puerto Ricans, Filipinos, etc. were not to be granted citizenship or protection by the Constitution and were to be treated like Native Americans.

Question 18

Anti-Imperialist League

Answer 18

Formed to fight the US annexation of the Philippines and encourage the US to stop being hypocritical about the Constitution, but ultimately did not change anything.

Question 19

Panama Canal

Answer 19

Belonged to Columbia, and allowed for people to go from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean without going around Africa.

Question 20

Why did the Columbian senate initially reject the building of the Panama Canal?

Answer 20

Because of uncertainty of its supreme political authority in the canal zone.

Question 21

How did Roosevelt continue building the Panama Canal, in spite of Columbia’s initial rejection?

Answer 21

Roosevelt asked the people of Columbia to declare themselves a country, and the US Navy was stationed in Columbia, threatening its residents. → Panama declares itself a free country, and the US signs a treaty to build the Panama Canal.

Question 22

Monroe Doctrine

Answer 22

A US policy that opposed European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere.

Question 23

Root-Takahira Agreement

Answer 23

An agreement between the US and Japan that mutually acknowledged that each would respect the others territory.

Question 24

Why did Japan and Russia go to war in 1904?

Answer 24

Japan and Russia fought over territorial expansion in East Asia.

Question 25

Gentlemen’s Agreement

Answer 25

An informal agreement that allowed Japanese kids back into the school system.

Question 26

What was the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake used as an opportunity for?

Answer 26

The earthquake was used as an opportunity to kick Japanese children out of schools.

Question 27

How did Roosevelt bring Japan and Russia together, ending the war?

Answer 27

Roosevelt offered to mediate a peace settlement, and in 1905 both countries signed the Treaty of Portsmouth, in which Russia recognized Japan as the dominant power in East Asia.