Spanish-American War

American History

Teller Amendment

Announced the U.S. had no intention of annexing Cuba after Spain's defeat.

William Jennings Bryan

Democratic candidate in 1896 & 1900; supported free silver & was an anti-imperialist.

'Cross of Gold' Speech

Speech given by William Jennings Bryan advocating for free silver.

William McKinley

Republican candidate in 1896 & 1900; supported the gold standard and imperialism.

Isolationism

U.S. foreign policy before the Spanish-American War; policy of non-involvement in world affairs.

Imperialism

Policy of establishing colonies and controlling the politics/economy of a weaker country.

Social Darwinism

Justifies U.S. expansion; argues that nations struggle for existence and only the fittest survive.

Manifest Destiny

The belief in spreading the virtues of Democracy and Christianity to uncivilized places.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

Wrote 'The Influence of Sea Power Upon History', emphasizing the need for a strong navy.

Hawaii

U.S. forcefully annexed this in 1898 for a naval base at Pearl Harbor.

General Weyler

Spanish Commander in Cuba known as 'The Butcher' for his brutal tactics.

Yellow Press/Journalism

Sensationalize stories to attract readers, notably used by Hearst and Pulitzer.

De Lome Letter

Spanish Ambassador's comments about President McKinley; a reason for U.S. declaring war.

U.S.S. Maine

Battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor; contributed to the U.S. declaring war on Spain.

Spanish-American War

Short war resulting in only 385 battle deaths, but over 5,000 died from disease.

Philippine Insurrection

Long & bloody conflict; over 4,000 Americans died, costing U.S. more than $600 million.

NAACP

Interracial organization aimed at abolishing segregation & discrimination.

Cuba

War began here; U.S. aimed to capture Santiago.

Philippine Islands

War began here due to denied independence; capital is Manila.

Yellow Fever

Tropical disease spread by mosquitoes that killed many Americans.

Imperialists

Supported acquiring the Philippines for new markets, European expansion control, and more.

Anti-Imperialists

Opposed acquiring the Philippines due to cost, distance, and moral concerns.

China

Involved in the Boxer Rebellion and the Open Door Policy.

Spheres of Influence

Areas of economic and political control by one nation over another weaker nation.

Leonard Wood

Commander of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry who helped Cubans prepare for independence.

Teddy Roosevelt

Assistant Secretary of the Navy who resigned to lead the Rough Riders.

George Dewey

U.S. Commander who destroyed the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay.

Jingoes

Patriots who support war and imperialism.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Leader of Filipino rebels; initially an ally then became an enemy to the U.S.

William Shafter

U.S. Army Commander in Cuba, known for his weight and health issues.

Rough Riders

1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry who fought in Cuba, particularly at El Caney and San Juan.

Treaty of Paris

Formal end to the Spanish-American War, granting the U.S. Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Platt Amendment

Cuba had to agree to not make foreign treaties and allow U.S. intervention.

John Hay

Secretary of State who created the Open Door Notes and called the S-A War a 'Splendid Little War'.

Boxers

Patriotic group known as 'Righteous Fists of Harmony' that revolted in China.

William H. Taft

Served as the 1st Civilian Governor of the Philippines.

Arthur MacArthur

Served as the Military Governor of the Philippines.

Booker T. Washington

Founded Tuskegee Institute; advocated for trade skills for African Americans.

W.E.B. Du Bois

1st African American to earn a PhD from Harvard; supported liberal arts education and political action.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896 Supreme Court case that established the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court case aimed to end segregation in public schools.

Election of 1896

Focused on the issue of Gold vs. Silver.

Election of 1900

Focused on the issue of Imperialism.