18.2 The Spanish-American War

Holland US History II, MATES 2026

Jose Marti

Cuban journalist organized revolution in 1895 to achieve Cuba Libre (free Cuba!)

Valeriano Weyler

Spanish general sent to restore order to Cuba; sent thousands into deadly concentration camps

yellow journalism

exaggerating the news to lure and engage readers

USS Maine

• exploded in the harbor of Havana killing almost 300 (Feb. 1898)

• rallying cry for war “Remember the Maine”

George Dewey

• commodore of U.S. fleet that attacked the Spanish at Manila

• destroying every ship, he landed U.S. troops and conquered the island in 2 months

Rough Riders

volunteer cavalry led by Theodore Roosevelt

San Juan Hill

strategically important battle that gave great fame to Teddy Roosevelt and led to the destruction of the Spanish fleet

Treaty of Paris (1898)

• Spain freed Cuba and gave the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico to the U.S.

• Spain sold the Philippines for $20 million

  • some argued that it violated the Declaration of Independence by denying self-government

• Philippines annexed in 1899 and gained independence in 1946