Lesson 20: The Spanish American War

Who was the Yellow Kid?

• Theodore Roosevelt

• a popular character in a newspaper comic

• a character in a popular comedy on Broadway

• William Randolph Hearst

Many American businesspeople were nervous about the political situation in Cuba in the late 1800s because

• they shipped most of their goods through Cuban ports.

• they had millions of dollars invested in Cuban sugar plantations.

• they sold most of their products to wealthy Cubans.

• they hired most of their workers from Cuba.

Why did many Americans sympathize with the rebellion in Cuba against Spanish rule?

• They saw it as a struggle for freedom similar to the American Revolution.

• Most Americans had family members living in Cuba.

• They believed it could end Spanish dreams of reconquering territory in America.

• Most Americans had experience of living under repressive Spanish rule.

Which of the following words can be used to characterize the reporting at New York newspapers such as the World and the Journal?

• unbiased

• sensationalistic

• accurate

• objective

Which of the following was least eager to go to war against Spain?

• the New York Journal

• Congress

• President McKinley

• Senator Redfield Proctor of Vermont

Were the newspapers justified in concluding that Spain was responsible for the sinking of the Maine?

• Yes. They published their conclusions after the investigation determined Spain was at fault.

• No. A group of disgruntled American sailors claimed responsibility for the explosion.

• Yes. The United States was eager to go to war against Spain, so the truth did not matter.

• No. They jumped to that conclusion before the official investigation was completed.

How did the Spanish lose control over the Philippines?

• Faced with the overwhelming power of the Filipino rebels, the Spanish withdrew from the Philippines.

• The American army seized the islands after months of brutal house-to-house fighting.

• With a budget crisis in the Spanish government, Spain sold the Philippines to the United States.

• American soldiers reinforced Filipino rebels, and together they took control over the Philippines.

Which of the following was one of the provisions in the Treaty of Paris?

• The United States took possession of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

• Spain granted the Philippines immediate independence.

• Spain paid the United States $20 million to take possession of Cuba.

• The United States allowed France to buy the Philippines for $20 million.

What was the Anti-Imperialist League’s basic criticism of empire building?

• Only wealthy Americans could enjoy the opportunities that arose from empire building.

• The United States was unable to compete with other great nations in building an empire.

• Imperialism violated the United States' founding principles of freedom and democracy.

• The United States should not waste its money building a far-flung empire.

Which statement about Cuba is true?

• Cuba became completely independent with the ratification of the Treaty of Paris.

• The United States retained the right to intervene in Cuban affairs and build military bases in Cuba.

• Cuba remained a Spanish colony after the Spanish-American War.

• Cubans rose in armed revolt against the United States after the Spanish-American War.