The SpanishAmerican War

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The Spanish-American War
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The Background
Cuba and Puerto Rico was all that was left of the
Spanish Empire in the Western Hemisphere.
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Cuba wanted Independence from Spain for a long
time. Fighting became brutal. The Spanish forced
large numbers of Cubans into Concentration Camps.
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As a result of this 200,000 Cubans died of
starvation and disease. 1/8 of the islands
population.
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The Spanish General in charge was General
Valeriano Weyler
The Butcher ?
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How America felt

• People were outraged by what they heard was
  happening in Cuba
• Many sympathized with the Cubans.
• WHY???????

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Journalism

• Many people read the newspaper to keep informed.
• New York Journal-William Randolph Hearst.
• New York World-Joseph Pulitzer

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Newspapers Contd
To increase sales, they sought out shocking
stories describing them in detail. They were
accused of participating in
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Yellow Journalism

• Embellishing stories with titillating details
  when the true reports did not seem dramatic
  enough.

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Does this bring about war?

• Despite the presss effort and their jingoistic
  accounts-the U.S. does not intervene with Cuba

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Cleveland resisted the pressures to intervene in
Cuban affairs.
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McKinley became President. Denounced the Spanish
more harshly.
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His aim was to force the Spanish into Concessions
that would favor the Cubans.
This worked for a little bit.
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What were the concessions?

• Spain relieved Weyler of his command.
• Stopped concentration camps.
• Granted Cuba limited autonomy.

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Did that help??

• Cubans demanded their full independence.
• Riots broke out in Havana.
• McKinley sent the Maine to protect U.S. citizens
  and their property.

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The events that led to war.

• 1st-The de Lome letter went public.
• Said the Spanish cared little about about
  resolving the Cuban crisis through negotiation
  and reform.

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• It also called McKinley a cheap politician
• 2nd- 6 days later, the Maine exploded in Havana
  Harbor killing 260 soldiers.
• Was this the Spanish??? OR an accident?????

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Remember the Maine!
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The U.S. is outraged. McKinley notifies Spain of
his conditions for avoiding war.
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Conditions

• Pay for the Maine
• Stop Concentration camps

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Contd

• Stop fighting with rebels
• Give Cuba Independence

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Spains Response

• O.K. to all but the last .
• McKinley asks Congress to go to war.

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Congress

• Congress gives war resolution-U.S. would not use
  war as opportunity to gain territory in Cuba