The SPANISH-AMERICAN War [APUSH Review Unit 7 Topic 3] Period 7: 1898-1945

Introduction to the Spanish-American War

• Continued exploration of Unit 7 in AP U.S. History.

• Focus on imperialism and American expansion.

Background Context

• American industrialists and politicians wanted to expand the United States.

• Cuba was a Spanish colony; the Cuban nationalist struggle against Spain reignited in 1895.

• Spanish forces suppressed the Cuban rebellion.

Yellow Journalism

• Emergence of yellow journalism during this period.

  • Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst's competition.

  • Sensationalized stories exaggerated Spanish atrocities against Cubans.

• Public outcry for U.S. intervention framed as a humanitarian mission.

• Debate among historians on the actual influence of yellow journalism.

U.S. Naval Presence and the U.S.S. Maine

• Establishment of a U.S. naval presence in Cuba.

• The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor (1898) killed over 200 Americans.

  • Initial claims attributed the explosion to Spanish sabotage without investigation.

  • Later investigation revealed it was an accident.

• The exploitation of the explosion by yellow journalists to incite public support for war.

Ultimatum and War Declaration

• President McKinley issued an ultimatum to Spain: cease aggression or face war.

• Spain's agreement to the ultimatum led to the declaration of war by the U.S.

The Spanish-American War

• A short conflict resulting in a decisive U.S. victory.

• Despite the war's brevity, it marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards imperialism.

Consequences of the War

Cuba’s Independence

• Cuba gained independence but under the restrictive Platt Amendment.

  • Allowed U.S. intervention to protect American economic interests.

  • Limited Cuban sovereignty in foreign affairs and debt management.

Annexation of the Philippines

• U.S. annexed the Philippines from Spain for $20 million.

  • Teddy Roosevelt played a key role in the naval operations during the war.

  • U.S. initially supported Filipino independence but later imposed their own rule.

• Emergence of resistance led by Emilio Aguinaldo; conflict lasted three years, with minor skirmishes for a decade.

• The Philippines remained under U.S. control until after World War II.

Annexation of Hawaii

• American settlers overthrew Queen Liliuokalani in Hawaii in 1893.

• Hawaii was annexed in 1898 as part of the U.S. territorial expansion.

Economic Expansion: Open Door Policy

• 19th century challenges in China as European nations carved it into spheres of influence.

• John Hay’s Open Door Note (1899) advocated for equal trading rights in China for all powers.

  • European powers did not formally reject the note, allowing the U.S. to maintain some trading rights.

Conclusion

• The Spanish-American War signaled the U.S. stepping onto the world stage as an emerging empire.

• The implications of territorial acquisitions and economic policies shaped U.S. foreign relations.

Additional Resources

• For further study, refer to the related Unit 7 playlist.

• Encouragement to subscribe for more historical insights.