Set 2 — Spanish-American War & Aftermath

U.S.S. Maine (Feb 15, 1898)

The battleship exploded in Havana Harbor; 260 sailors died; cause uncertain but prompted U.S. outrage.

War Declarations (April 1898)

Spain declared war April 20, 1898; the U.S. declared war April 25, 1898.

Teller Amendment (1898)

Stated the U.S. would not annex Cuba and supported Cuban independence.

Battle of Manila Bay (May 1, 1898)

Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet in the Philippines with minimal U.S. losses.

Rough Riders & San Juan Hill

TR resigned as Navy Sec., formed Rough Riders; media celebrated his charge at San Juan/Kettle Hill (July 1898).

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Ended the war; Spain ceded the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the U.S.; Spain received $20 million.

Platt Amendment (1901)

Allowed U.S. intervention in Cuba, restricted Cuban treaties, and granted Guantánamo Bay to the U.S.

Philippine-American War (1899–1902)

Emilio Aguinaldo led a guerrilla war against U.S. rule; thousands died and Aguinaldo was eventually captured.

Anti-Imperialist League

Group opposing U.S. imperialism; members included Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, Jane Addams, and Samuel Gompers.