Spanish American War

Question 1

What are the 3 “isms” of war?

Answer 1

1. Imperialism
2. 3.

Question 2

What was the end result of the Spanish-American war?

Answer 2

Treaty of Paris - Signed 12/10/1898

Question 3

What are the provisions of the Treaty of Paris?

Answer 3

A. Cuba gains independence
1. 1903 became U.S. protectorate for 31 years
B. Spain gave Puerto Rico & Guam to U.S.
C. U.S. would pay Spain $20 million for annexation of Philippine Islands (imperialism spreads)

Question 4

What is Imperialism?

Answer 4

The desire for more

Question 5

Factors driving U.S. imperialism

Answer 5

A. Economic competition among industrial nations
1. Needed new raw material sources
2. New markets to sell good

B. Military strength-keep up with world powers
a. Defend peacetime shipping lanes-help economic growth
b. Strategically located bases for refueling (Caribbean, Hawaii & Pacific Islands)

C Manifest Destiny
1. Racial superiority of Anglo-Saxon race
2. U.S. had responsibility to spread Christianity & civilize world’s
inferior people/races

Question 6

Alfred T. Mahen

Answer 6

Wrote book explaining why U.S.
needed strong navy – Influence of Sea Power on
History

Question 7

Hawaii-Imperialism

Answer 7

U.S. annexed HI 8/12/1898
1. Important stopping pt. for merchants going China & E.
India
2. American sugar plantations-big business
3. Queen Lilliuoklani forced to give up Hawaii

Question 8

Causes of the Spanish American War

Answer 8

A. Spain’s “poor” treatment of Cubans
- Gen. Wyler ordered entire rural population of Cuba into concentration camps

B. Protect U.S. business interests
1. U.S. companies invested in Cuban sugar plantations-businesses wanted to protect investments

C. Yellow Journalism-newspapers printed exaggerated accounts of events to attract readers & increase circulation
1. Often restricted from battles, writers sat in bars & made up stories of battles that never happened

Question 9

Key events leading to Spanish American War

Answer 9

1. New York Journal published letter from Spanish minister criticizing Pres. McKinley
2. 2/5/1898-USS Maine exploded & sank off Cuban coast
   (turned out to be internal explosion)
   Headlines read: “The warship Maine was split in two by enemy’s
   secret infernal machine”

Question 10

Who declared war?

Answer 10

U.S. declares war on Spain (4/20/1898)

Question 11

Spanish-American War: “A Splendid Little War”

Answer 11

Lasted 16 weeks
1. Secretary of State John Hay called it “a splendid little war.”

300K American troops
1. 5,400 died
2. 379 were battle causalities
3. The rest died from diseases & other causes