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

Introduction to the Spanish-American War

  • Importance of understanding background information from previous video on American expansionism.

  • Key motivation for American involvement: the desire to acquire Cuba, a Spanish colony.

Background Context

  • Cuban Nationalists Struggle (1895): Renewed revolt against Spanish rule, but faced severe repression from Spain.

  • American industrialists and politicians had vested interests in Cuban independence.

Role of Yellow Journalism

  • Definition: Sensationalist journalism led by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, aimed at increasing newspaper circulation.

  • Exaggeration of Spanish atrocities towards Cubans influenced public opinion.

  • Historians debate the extent of yellow journalism's influence, but agree it played a role in fostering pro-war sentiment.

U.S. Naval Involvement

  • Establishment of a naval presence in Cuba amid rising tensions.

  • Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine (1898): Over 200 Americans died; initial blame placed on Spain due to yellow journalism.

  • Investigations later revealed that the explosion was accidental but sensationalism fueled calls for war.

Declaration of War

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

  • Despite Spain's compliance, the U.S. still declared war, resulting in a brief conflict.

Outcomes of the Spanish-American War

  • Victory for the U.S.: Marked the emergence of America as an imperial power.

Effects on Cuba

  • Cuba gained independence but under the Platt Amendment, allowing U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs to protect American interests.

  • Limited Cuba's ability to dictate its own foreign policy.

Annexation of the Philippines

  • Role of Theodore Roosevelt: Sent naval forces to the Philippines, aided Filipino nationalists in overthrowing Spain.

  • Post-war treaty: U.S. acquired the Philippines for $20 million.

  • Misunderstanding among Filipinos regarding U.S. intentions, leading to a conflict for independence against U.S. colonial rule (1899-1902).

Further Expansion

  • Strategic importance of the Philippines highlighted a need for a mid-Pacific supply point.

  • Annexation of Hawaii (1898): Hawaii became another acquisition supporting U.S. imperial ambitions.

Economic Expansion and the Open Door Policy

  • Open Door Policy: Initiated by Secretary of State John Hay to ensure U.S. trading rights in China amid European colonial domination.

  • Although largely ignored by European powers, it symbolized America's economic interests in Asia and aimed at preventing exclusion from Chinese markets.

Conclusion

  • The Spanish-American War significantly altered America's role on the global stage, reinforcing its imperialistic ambitions and expanding its territory through military conflict and economic policies.