Spanish-American War Notes

Newspapers published sensationalized stories and drawings depicting Spanish atrocities in Cuba to enrage the American public and garner support for intervention.
- Example: A drawing depicting Spanish soldiers stripping and searching American women.
- Example: A depiction of a Cuban mother weeping over her dying child, suggesting the need for war.
The idea that William Randolph Hearst told an artist, "You furnish the pictures, I'll furnish a war," encapsulates the sentiment of the time, even if the quote is likely apocryphal.

Initially, the U.S. hesitated to intervene in the Cuban revolution.
The U.S. did not want to get involved although it was in the Western Hemisphere, it wasn't initially considered a U.S. problem.
The Monroe Doctrine was not initially invoked because Spain controlled Cuba before the doctrine's implementation.
- The Monroe Doctrine would only apply if Cuba were free and Spain attempted to re-intervene.

In 1898, Hearst's newspapers published the de Lôme Letter, written by the Spanish representative to the U.S., Depuy de Lome.
The letter, written to someone in Spain, criticized President McKinley, calling him "corrupt" and an "idiot."
The publication of the letter damaged Spain's image and provoked American outrage.
- The sentiment was, "He may be corrupt, but he's our corrupt idiot."

In January 1898, the USS Maine was sent to Havana Harbor to protect American investments in Cuba (primarily sugar plantations) and to show force.
On February 15, 1898, at 9:40 PM, the Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, resulting in the deaths of 268 sailors.
American newspapers immediately blamed Spain, claiming it was an underwater mine.
The cause was later found to be an internal accident, likely a boiler explosion.
The rallying cry became, "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!"

The U.S. demanded Spain negotiate a peace treaty with Cuba and address the concentration camps.
McKinley initially did not want war, and neither did Wall Street or big business.
Yellow journalism and public pressure pushed McKinley to act.
Theodore Roosevelt was among those who felt McKinley was not doing enough.
On April 11, 1898, McKinley sent a war message to Congress, which declared war on Spain.
The Teller Amendment was passed, stipulating that the U.S. would not take over Cuba after Spain's defeat, ensuring Cuba's freedom.

The war lasted only four months.
Disease (yellow fever and malaria) caused more deaths than battle.
American soldiers were poorly trained and equipped with outdated weapons.
Many American officers were Civil War veterans, focused on old stories rather than strategy.
The American Navy faced logistical challenges, such as the long journey around South America to reach the Pacific.

Manila Bay (Philippines):
- Under Secretary of War Theodore Roosevelt ordered Commodore George Dewey to prepare to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines.
- On May 1, 1898, Dewey's six warships destroyed all 10 Spanish warships.
- Spanish casualties: 400 killed or wounded.
- American casualties: 1 from heat stroke.
- The U.S. took control of the Philippines shortly after.
Santiago Harbor (Cuba):
- The Spanish fleet was blockaded by the American fleet.
- American forces invaded Cuba, including Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, who famously charged San Juan Hill.
- On July 1, 1898, the Spanish fleet was destroyed.
- The USS Oregon had more firepower than all of Spain's four cruisers combined.

The acquisition of the Philippines was a major issue for McKinley.
The Philippines were larger than the British Isles and had a population of 7,000,000.
Taking over the Philippines contradicted American ideals of self-governance and consent of the governed.
Filipinos, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, initially fought alongside the Americans against the Spanish but later resisted American occupation.
The Filipino insurrection resulted in:
- 4,000 American deaths.
- 16,000 Filipino combatant deaths.
- An estimated 200,000 Filipino deaths from disease and starvation.

The Spanish-American War was a "splendid little war" (John Hay, Secretary of State) that marked a significant turning point in American history.
The U.S. transitioned from an isolationist country to an imperial power.
The U.S. began to actively use its naval and military power to expand its influence and engage in international trade.
The U.S. demonstrated its ability to defeat a European power.
The U.S. Navy became one of the largest in the world.
The U.S. became a world power, actively participating in international affairs.
The U.S. showed a willingness to use its power and take over other nations for its own benefit.