spanish-american war Flashcards
Why was the US willing to go to war with Spain over Cuba?
- coverage of Cuban rebellion
- publishings of de Lome letter
- coverage of USS Maine
why did people not want to go to war?
people didn’t want to go to war with Spain because America had just come out of the Civil War 3 years before
how much of what industry did American businessmen control in cuba?
American businessmen controlled 80% of Cuba’s sugar industry
what tactic did the Cubans use against Spain when they revolted in 1895?
- guerrilla warfare
- terrorism over civilians
what is guerrilla warfare?
hit and run, not uniform
how did the Spanish respond to the Cuban rebellion?
- placed Cuban rebels in concentration camps
- 200,000 killed ~ large number for small island
how did the Americans feel about the Cuban rebellion?
- sided with cubans
- saw cuba as the US under British rule
- small power vs a larger European country
- newspapers very biased and supported the Cubans
- made up exaggerated stories “yellow journalism”
who published The Journal?
William Randolph Hearst
who published The World?
Joseph Pulitzer
what caused people to want to go to war with Spain?
the de Lome letter
what was the de Lome letter?
- de Lome was Spanish representative to US
- insulted McKinley
who published the de Lome letter?
William Hearst
what is McKinley’s reaction to the de Lome letter?
He sends the USS Maine to the Havana Harbor
what happened to the USS Maine?
- blew up in Havana Harbor
- the yellow press and American public blamed Spain
- “remember the Maine”
what was Theodore Roosevelt’s position in the military during the Spanish-American war?
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
what order does Roosevelt give after the explosion of the USS Maine?
- be ready to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines
- sends command to Dewey
when does the US declare war against Spain?
April 1898
what is the first thing that occurs when the US declares war?
- Admiral Dewey attacks Spanish fleet in Philippines in 7hrs
- Navy blockades Spain’s fleet in Cuba
what did Roosevelt do after war is declared?
Roosevelt resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to raise a volunteer regiment
what group of soldiers did Roosevelt create?
the Rough Riders
who called the war a “Splendid Little War”?
John Hay, Secretary of State
what was signed to end the war?
treaty of Paris signed in December 1898 ended the war
what countries did America obtain after the Spanish-American war?
Puerto Rico, Guam, supervision of Cuba, purchased the Philippines from Spain for $20 million
what were McKinley’s arguments for wanting to annex the Philippines?
- unfit for self-government
- independence would bring anarchy
- US must “civilize” them
what did the Philippines go through with the United States?
fought a 3 year war for independence
- 4,000 Americans killed
- 16,000 Filipino soldiers lost
- over 200,000 civilians
didn’t gain complete independence until 1946
what happened to Cuba after the Spanish-American war?
- McKinley installed military government to protect US business
- Cuba wrote a constitution in 1900 that didn’t allow for US involvement
what was the Platt Amendment?
US government only agreed to remove troops if Cuba included the Platt Amendment
- Cuba can not enter any foreign agreements
- US can intervene in Cuban affairs whenever necessary
- must allow US to establish naval bases
early political life of Theodore Roosevelt?
- had deathly asthma
- thought he wasn’t going to make it past a toddler
- Harvard; was very smart
- New York Lawmaker
- early 20’s
- police commissioner in New York
what happened when TR became Vice President?
McKinley was killed and Roosevelt becomes youngest president
what was the purpose of the Panama Canal?
Americans needed a shorter route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
what country controlled Panama before the US?
Colombia
what did the US do to be able to build the Panama Canal?
- French company offered the job from $100 million to $40 million
- must work out a treaty with Columbia for the right to use Panama
How do the Colombians feel about the Panama Canal?
- want more money and refuse to deal the US
What does Theodore Roosevelt suggest to Panama about Colombia?
- encourages Panama to break away from Colombia
- he says that the US will help them fight Colombia if they get the Panama Canal built
What is the outcome of Panama rebelling against Colombia?
- Panama wins independence and US is “protectors”
- US is given $10 million
What are different impacts that Theodore Roosevelt had after helping Panama?
- opponents angry that Roosevelt violated international law
- many Americans pleased anyway
- legacy of ill will towards US in Latin America
How did racism influence American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines?
Racism caused Americans to perceive the people of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines as people who were not capable of creating a civilization on their own. Still, they worried that if the US tried bringing those people in, it would threaten the American political system.
What is social darwinism?
It put a stereotype and mostly untrue judgements on different races and ethnic groups around the world. It provided an idea that imperialism was for the strongest and best leaders.
Why did America look outward for new markets?
America was making too much stuff for just Americans, so they looked for other countries to buy their things.
