The SpanishAmerican War

1
The Spanish-American War
"It has been a splendid little war, Secretary
of State John Hay
2
Cuba

• Spanish rule of Cuba harsh under Gen. Valeriano
  Weyler led to reconcentration camps of Cuban
  revolutionaries

• Harsh conditions reported in US papers

3
Role of the Newspapers

• Hearst papers exaggerated Spanish threat to US
• Manufactured stories of Spanish atrocities

4
The de Lome Letter
Enrique Dupuy de Lome, Spanish ambassador to the
US

• Besides the natural and inevitable coarseness
  with which he repeats all that the press and
  public opinion of Spain has said of Weyler, it
  shows once more what McKinley is weak and
  catering to the rabble, and, besides, a low
  politician, who desires to leave a door open to
  me and to stand well with the jingoes of his
  party.
• Insults of McKinley published in newspapers de
  Lome sent home anger against Spain rises

5
The Maine

• USS Maine sent to protect Americans in Havana
  mysterious explosion destroys ship, Feb. 15, 1898

Americans blame Spanish possible causes?
6
US Congress Declares WAR!!!

• War should never be entered upon until every
  agency of peace has failed
• Reluctant McKinley asks Congress for war

• McKinley has no more backbone than a chocolate
  éclair

7
The Teller Amendment

• Sen. Henry Teller adds amendment to war
  declaration

the United States "hereby disclaims any
disposition of intention to exercise sovereignty,
jurisdiction, or control over said island (Cuba)
except for pacification thereof, and asserts its
determination, when that is accomplished, to
leave the government and control of the island to
its people."
8
Role of Theodore Roosevelt

• Background of Roosevelt (TR)
• former Dakota cowboy NYC police
  commissioner
• Under Secretary of the Navy in 1898 when war is
  declared

9
Role of Theodore Roosevelt

• Orders Adm. George Dewey to attack the Spanish
  in the Philippines when ready
• Lacked authority to do so, later approved by
  president resigned to form own regiment

10
Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898

• Dewey and the steel navy of the US destroys
  Spanish fleet in Manila in six hours, no US
  casualties

11
Dewey and the Filipino Revolt

• Filipinos had been in revolt for a decade, led by
  Emilio Aguinaldo
• Dewey allies will rebels to fight Spanish in the
  Philippines, with promise of independence

12
TR and the Roughriders

• TR resigns post and forms the Roughriders
• Made up of cowboys and Ivy Leaguers and friends
  of TR

• Commanded by Col. Leonard Wood

13
Cuba and San Juan Hill

• July 5th, 1898, TR and the Roughriders charge San
  Juan (really Kettle) Hill

14
San Juan Hill

• Media coverage makes TR a national hero
• TR becomes governor of NY, later VP in 1900

15
Santiago

• July, 1898 US fleet destroys the Spanish,
  ending the war
• Spain surrenders after battle

16
The Aftermath

• Provisions of Treaty
• Spain cedes Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam

• US pays Spain 20m
• US reluctantly gives Cuba independence, but
  passes Platt Amendment
• US can intervene in Cuban politics
• Keeps naval base (Guantanamo Naval Station)

17
The Filipino Revolt

• McKinley decides to keep the Philippines

I am not ashamed to tell you, gentlemen, that I
went down on my knees and prayed Almighty God for
light and guidance more than one night. And one
night late it came to me this wayI dont know
how it was, but it came
that there was nothing left for us to do but to
take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and
uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by
Gods grace do the very best we could by them, as
our fellow-men for whom Christ also died.
18
The Revolt Against the US

• The Filipino Revolt
• (1899 1902)
• Aguinaldo leads revolt until his capture in 1902
  US uses harsh methods