Spanish-American War 1898

summary april1-august1898

spain was declining power w/ latin american colonies breaking away, cuba was the most valuable and one of the last colonies but had cuban libre movement, USS maine exploded wqhen watching the situation, mckinley reluctant to enter, Teller Amendment (1898) saying that US won't take control fo Cuba, US victory in phillipines, cuba, san juan hilll, treaty of paris & annexation of hawaii & cuban independence

Cuban Libre Movement

Guerilla warfare between Spanish authorities and Cuban peasants, General Valeriano Weyler implemented the Reconcentrado Policy, The American public becomes increasingly sympathetic to the plight of Cubans (1895-1898)

Reconcentrado policy

made by General Valeriano Weyler: Spanish policy of relocating (forcefullly) Cuban civilians to camps in fortified towns during the Cuban Revolt to prevent rebellions (keep eye on rebels), killed if people refuse 1896

Valeriano Weyler

General sent by Spain to stop Cuban revolt (1896), referred to as the "Butcher" because of harsh tactics "concentration camps, shooting civilian, ect.)

Teller Amendment

legistration showing that U.S. wasn't going to take control of prohibited the United States from annexing Cuba after the war & was going to free cuba

no mention of Spain's other colonial possessions

The Philippines

Puerto Rico

April 1898

Treaty of Paris

US gets phillipines, puerto rico, guam for 20$million, barely ratified bc strong anti-impterialism opposition dec1898

Platt Amendment

granted cuba independence, it provided that Cuba would make no treaties that compromised its independence or granted concessions to other countries without U.S. approval (could intervene in internal affairs), US got naval right in Guantanamo Bay. The amendment was abrogated in 1934. 1903

Cuban Revolution

cuban rebels made guerilla wars against spanish forces, escalated in spaish american war, US support cuban rebels defeating spain, led to platt amendmnet (us influence in cuba) 1895-1898

Battle of Manila Bay

First Battle of the Spanish-American War in the Philippines; decisive US victory under Commodore George Dewey (US steel ships vs. Spanish wooden ships), Dewey's Pacific Squadron blasted the Spanish fleet out the water

Extremely one-sided as the U.S. bore the fruit of the reforms in its Navy may1898

U.S.S. Maine

Ship that explodes off the coast of Cuba in Havana harbor (internal problem) as it was watching over the situation/tensions and helps contribute to the start of the Spanish-American War, truth covered up to prevent funding stop, go to war to show power, protect face of navy feb15 1898

De Lome Letter

The Spanish ambassador insults President McKinley in this document; accused McKinley of focusing on popularity over politiics (trying to stay on good terms w jingoes but also not go to war), anger americans & fueled anti-spanish feelings feb9 1898

Guantanamo Bay

platt amendmnet of 1901 allowed US to get naval rights to this bay

War in the Phillipines

Guerilla war vs. the Filipino independence movement (1899-1902 against US), Longer and bloodier than the Spanish-American War

Emilio Aguinaldo leader,

Torturing civilians to find out who enemy combatants were

The "water cure" (people forced to drink large amounts of water as torture) 1899-1902

Battle of San Juan Hill

battle of the war with U.S. forces, including the Rough Riders, drove off Spanish forces atop San Juan Hill charged up hill against Spain

Theodore Roosevelt becomes a great war hero which he will translate to being Governor of New York on the way to the presidency July1898

Battle of Santiago Harbor 1898

American victory against Spanish fleet - mostly African American regiments and rough riders (led by Teddy Roosevelt) july3 after San Juan hip

The Rough Riders

Volunteer regiment of US Cavalry led by Teddy Roosevelt during the Spanish American War, drove off spanish forces on san juan hill

Ten Years' War

Cuba's unsuccessful attempt to throw off Spanish rule led by cuban born planters & wealthy natives 1868-1878

Balangiga Massacre

In the Philippines, US soldiers killed every male over the age of 10 to retaliate the death of American soldiers 1901