7.3 Spanish American War

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

Cubans were frustrated with American and Spanish control over their land and resources.
After the Civil War, many American settlers built sugar plantations in Cuba, causing economic problems for local people.
Cuban fighters used guerilla tactics, like ambush attacks, against Spanish troops.

General Valeriano Weyler tried to stop the uprisings by moving Cuban civilians into camps (called reconcentrados), leading to overcrowding and starvation.
Many people died in these camps from not having enough food and poor living conditions.
American newspapers (calling Weyler “Butcher Weyler”) reported these events and condemned his actions.

Through sensationalized stories known as "yellow journalism," American newspapers like Hearst's New York Journal and Pulitzer's New York World raised awareness about the situation in Cuba.
This created anger among Americans and calls for the U.S. to intervene in Cuba.

On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, which increased American support for war against Spain.
The explosion killed 260 sailors and damaged the relationship between the U.S. and Spain.
Newspapers quickly blamed the Spanish, rallying public support with slogans like "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!"

President McKinley was reluctant but eventually declared war after the Teller Amendment reassured the public that the U.S. would help Cuba gain independence.
The war started on April 21, 1898, but the first major battle took place in the Philippines, not Cuba.

Fighting in the Philippines: Commodore George Dewey led U.S. naval forces to victory against the Spanish fleet in May 1898.
The U.S. sought to establish its presence in Asia, and American and Filipino forces captured Manila by August 1898.
Challenges in Cuba: American soldiers faced many health problems from tropical diseases, which caused more deaths than combat did.
Victory in Cuba was achieved on July 1, leading to the invasion of Puerto Rico. A cease-fire was declared in August 1898, ending the war after 114 days.
Peace Treaty: The Treaty of Paris (1898) ended the war, giving the U.S. control of Guam and Puerto Rico and $20 million to Spain for the Philippines, marking the U.S. as a global power.

Imperialism Issues: After the war, debates about American imperialism grew, with anti-imperialist voices like William Jennings Bryan rising.
People from the newly controlled territories wanted to know their rights under the U.S. Constitution.
Supreme Court Ruling: In 1901, the Insular Cases determined that constitutional rights did not automatically apply to all U.S. territories, leaving some residents without certain rights.

Cuban Independence? As Cuba wrote its constitution, the U.S. ignored the promises of the Teller Amendment.
The Platt Amendment (1903) stated that Cuba had to get U.S. approval for treaties and allowed American intervention in Cuban affairs, limiting Cuba's autonomy.

Filipino Rebellion: After the war, Filipino nationalists, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, fought against U.S. control in 1899 in a brutal guerilla war.
The conflict led to over 4,300 American deaths and about 20,000 Filipino deaths before it ended.
The Philippines didn't gain independence until 1946, highlighting the long-lasting struggles under U.S. rule.

U.S. Interest in China: Secretary of State John Hay put forth an Open Door Policy to ensure equal trading access in China, contrasting the exclusive rights granted to some countries.
Boxer Rebellion: Anger against foreign interference led to the Boxer Rebellion (1900), aimed at forcing foreign nations to leave. An international force, including U.S. troops, put down the uprising.

New Policies: After McKinley was assassinated, Theodore Roosevelt implemented aggressive foreign policies based on the idea of "speak softly and carry a big stick,” which made the U.S. a more active world power.
Panama Canal: The need for a canal in Panama arose as the U.S. expanded, but Colombia did not support it. The U.S. helped Panamanian rebels gain independence so they could build the canal.
Roosevelt Corollary: Concerns about European debts in Venezuela prompted Roosevelt to adjust the Monroe Doctrine, allowing U.S. intervention in Latin America if financial crises occurred.

Taft's Dollar Diplomacy: President Taft aimed to use economic support to strengthen U.S. influence, but his methods often required military action, which caused resentment in Latin America.
Wilson's Moral Diplomacy: President Wilson opposed imperialism but believed in promoting democracy, intervening in several Latin American countries for these reasons, including a military withdrawal from Mexico in 1917.

The war led to the acquisition of new territories and marked a change in U.S. foreign policy, showing ambitions for greater global influence. The impacts were significant for Cuba, the Philippines, and U.S. relationships in Asia, reflecting themes of American imperialism.