unit5

Origins of the Spanish American War

  • Spanish Empire's Decline

    • Overview of Spain's powerful empire and military presence.

    • Territories like Cuba and the Philippines were significant to Spanish interests.

  • Cuban Independence Movement

    • Events from April 1895 to the outbreak of war.

    • Jose Marti played a crucial role in leading the fight for Cuban independence from Spain.

  • Yellow Journalism Influence

    • Media sensationalism in the U.S. contributed to public outrage against Spain.

    • The USS Maine incident in February 1898 heightened tensions.

  • Political Factors Leading to War

    • The De Lome Letter criticized U.S. President McKinley, leaked to the press which increased anti-Spanish sentiment.

    • The Teller Amendment ensured U.S. support for Cuban independence, steering towards war.

The Course of the War

  • The two main fronts:

    • The Cuban Front

      • U.S. naval blockade of Cuba.

    • Deployment of troops; 11,000 American soldiers sent to Cuba.

      • Key figures included Theodore Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders.

  • Impact on Florida

    • Tampa was a critical logistical center for U.S. forces prior to engagement.

    • Necessity of military training for troops headed to Cuba.

  • Conclusion of the War

    • After 114 days of conflict, Spain sought peace, leading to the Treaty of Paris.

    • Tropical diseases, notably malaria, affected American troops significantly.

Views on Imperialism

  • Pro-Imperialism Perspectives

    • Competition with other powers and need for new markets.

    • U.S. perceived itself as a burgeoning power due to resources and industrial needs.

  • Anti-Imperialism Perspectives

    • Concerns about democracy and the moral implications of exerting control over other nations.

    • The argument against imposing U.S. values and governance on less powerful nations.

    • Potential conflicts with foreign powers and labor concerns.

Territorial Acquisitions

  • Key Locations

    • Alaska purchased from Russia in 1867, significantly increasing U.S. territory.

    • Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898; initially, sugar plantations were a major incentive for annexation.

  • Puerto Rico and Guam acquired as permanent territories post-war

    • The Platt Amendment established a U.S. presence in Cuba.

Influence of Roosevelt

  • Panama Canal Initiative

    • Roosevelt's vision for a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific.

    • Importance of facilitating trade and military movement.

  • Roosevelt Corollary and Big Stick Diplomacy

    • Asserted U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, adjusting the Monroe Doctrine to permit intervention.

    • Advocated for American investments in Latin America.

  • Dollar Diplomacy

    • Aimed to promote American commercial interests by negotiating rather than military intervention.

    • This strategy included backing loans to Latin American countries to stabilize and gain influence.