11.4.2 STANDARD NOTES

11.4.2 Spanish American War

American Imperialism.

Despite the Monroe Doctrine of the early 1800s, in the late 1800s, the United States decided to become an imperialist power like European countries. 

1. To establish military strength, especially naval power.

2. To open new markets. Industrialization produced a surplus of goods. Colonies would provide markets for goods and sources of raw materials.

3. To spread its “superior” culture. Many Americans believed the white race and Christian religion were superior to other cultures.

Hawaii

1. Sugar and fruit were the main exports of Hawaii. Both of which were profitable resources.

2. Plantation owners, like Sanford Dole, had a lot of power in the Kingdom of Hawaii. 

3. Queen Liliuokalani tried to restore power to the native Hawaiians by rewriting the Hawaiian constitution. In order to take power back from the Plantation owners.

1. Plantation owners started a revolution led by Sanford Dole. 160 U.S. Marines backed up the coup and Dole was made provisional president of Hawaii.

2. The queen was removed by 1893 and the plantations offered Hawaii as territory to the United States.

3. America’s annexation of Hawaii in 1898 extended U.S. territory into the Pacific. The United States rose as a Pacific power.

4. Sugar plantations, naval stations/bases, and the overthrow of the queen played a role in the US decision to annex Hawaii.

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Multiple Choice

What was not a goal of American Imperialism?

• Acquire new markets for American goods

• Promote freedom and equality to smaller nations

• Expand American military strength

• Spread American culture and values

Multiple Choice

Why did the United States annex Hawaii?

• To expand American territory and influence in the Pacific.
• To establish a naval base and gain control over the sugar industry.
• To prevent other countries from gaining control over Hawaii's resources.

Cuba

1. Cuba was a colony of Spain for many years.  

2. The people of Cuba wanted their independence as a nation.

3. Cuba revolted for freedom between 1868 and 1878 but was unsuccessful in gaining independence.

Cuban Revolution

1. American businesses invested heavily in Cuba after slavery was abolished there in 1886. 

2. Like Hawaii, Cuba produced a large amount of sugar. This was a profitable location for the United States.

3. Cubans revolted one last time against Spain in 1895. This Cuban revolution was led by Jose Marti.

4. The Spanish fought against the Cuban rebels and treated them poorly. Spanish General Weyler was called "the butcher" for his treatment of Cubans.

Multiple Choice

Why was the United States interested in Cuba in the 1800s?

• The United States was interested in Cuba for its strategic location and economic potential.

• Cuba was a major source of gold for the United States.
• Cuba was known for its advanced technology and industry, attracting U.S. interest.

Multiple Choice

Who led the Cuban Revolution against Spain in the late 1800s?

¿Quién lideró la Revolución Cubana contra España a finales del siglo XIX?

• Fidel Castro
• Jose Martí

• Che Guevara

Yellow Journalism

1. Yellow journalism is the presentation of news stories in an exaggerated form.

2. The Yellow journalists like Hearst and Pulitzer exaggerated the conditions and treatment of the Cubans by the Spanish. 

3. US newspapers used Yellow Journalism in the 1890s as a moral justification for war with Spain.

Spanish -American War

1. In 1898, the USS Maine exploded in the Cuban harbor of Havana. The explosion killed U.S. sailors and led to a declaration of war. 

2. The US military mobilized to fight the Spanish on both land and sea. The United States first destroyed Spain's navy in the Philippines. The war was short and an easy victory as it only lasted 4 months.

3. Ultimately, the Spanish-American war occurred because of Jose Marti, yellow journalism, and the explosion of the USS Maine.

Multiple Choice

What is Yellow Journalism?

¿Qué es el periodismo amarillo?

• Sensationalized or exaggerated news presentation
• Accurate and factual news presentation.
• Objective and unbiased reporting.

Multiple Choice

Why did the United States start the Spanish-American War?

¿Por qué Estados Unidos inició la Guerra Hispano-Estadounidense?

• The explosion of the USS Maine and the desire to protect American interests in Cuba.
• To establish a military presence in the Philippines
• To gain control of Puerto Rico

Treaty of Paris.

1. Sold the Philippines to the US.

2. Gave Guam and Puerto Rico to the US.

3. Gave Cuba it's freedom.

4. To protect the US business investments American soldiers stayed in Cuba. The US made Cuba adopt the Platt Amendment which influenced the country as a political protectorate.

The Philippines

1. ​Control of the Philippines allowed U.S. businesses to protect their interests in Asia. It was a strategic military location.

2. Not getting the freedom they expected, the Filipinos rebelled against US control.

3. The Filipinos rebelled for 3 years but remained under US control until 1946.

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of the Platt Amendment?

• To provide financial aid to Cuba for its economic development.
• To grant the United States certain rights and privileges in Cuba.

• To promote cultural exchange between the United States and Cuba.

Multiple Choice

Why did the United States decide to keep the Philippines?

¿Por qué Estados Unidos decidió quedarse con Filipinas?

• Philippines had a large population that could be a potential market.
• Philippines had a strategic location in the Pacific.
• Philippines had valuable natural resources.

Multiple Choice

What is the main motivation for the United States to keep imperial territories?

• Economic and strategic interests
• Humanitarian aid and development.
• Spreading Freedom and equality