7.3 - The Spanish-American War
America v. Spain
What effects did the Spanish-American War have on America and the extended global community?
Historical Context
The Monroe Doctrine - U.S gov tells other nations to stay out of the Western hemisphere.
America wanted to compete wth European colonization efforts.
Industrialization created need for raw materials and new global markets.
American sugar investments in Cuba.
Class/Video Notes
Cuban Revolt of 1895 - for Cuban Nationalists as Spain exercises its autocratic control against General Valeriano Weyler = “The Butcher”
Yellow Journalism/Press - sensationalistic accounts of Spanish control → promotes war fever
De Lôme Letter - publicized Spanish diplomat letter criticizing president WIlliam McKinley = insult against U.S honor
Sinking of the Maine - yellow press distorts event of U.S ship exploding in Havana Harbor, blame on Spain
McKinley’s War Message
End to miseries in Cuba
Protect citizens and property in Cuba
End injury to commerce and business of U.S
End disorder of peace in Cuba
Teller Amendment - after victory against Spain, Cuba allowed some form of self-government (indirect rule)
Treaty of Paris - Spanish cedes Guam and Puerto Rico to U.S., also sells Philippines for 20 million, loses grip on Cuba
Cause:
Cubans were faced into reconcentration camps
Poor sanitation and disease killed thousands
Yellow journalism = American newspapers printed sensational stories → more American support for supporting Cubans
Claimed oppressed Cubans were suffering at the hands of Euro. tyrants
W.R Heart: “You provide the pictures. I’ll provide the war.”
Cuban movement for independence from Spain gained a considerable amount of American support
Cuban Revolution against Spain
Cuban Revolt of 1895 - for Cuban Nationalists as Spain exercises its autocratic control / General Valeriano Weyler = “The Butcher” violently repress
U.S felt akin to the cause (felt need to be involved and aid Cuba)
Was also disrupting trade patterns
Growth of American Jingoism - new style of nationalism that include regressive foreign policy
Battleship USS Maine sinking, explosion
Death of 260 Americans
Progression
Fighting begins in Philippines - Adm. John Dewey’s victory at Battle of Manila Bay
U.S naval advantage overwhelms Spanish Navy, surrenders after 3 months - “A Splendid Little War”
Battle of San Juan Hill only significant land battle, led by T. Roosevelt
More casualties from disease than fighting
Effect:
Political
Inspired heavy enthusiasm for expanding the navy
Emboldened efforts to acquire Hawaii (acqisition was not directly related to conflict with Spain)
Defeat Spain → acquire Pilippines and establish pre dominance in Caribbean → Led to nationalist movement in Philippines
Platt Amendment - cultivates Cuban resentment b/c U.S given full pwoer to intervene on economic or military matters
The Platt Amendment was an amendment to the Cuban constitution that granted the United States certain rights and privileges in Cuba. It allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs, maintain naval bases on the island, and oversee Cuban treaties. The amendment was passed in 1901 and remained in effect until 1934. It was a significant aspect of U.S. foreign policy in the early 20th century.
One of the major effects of the Spanish-American War and the acquisition of the Philippines was the FIlipino insurrection
U.S acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines
The Treaty of Paris of 1898 - Spain freed Cuba and ceded the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico to the U.S
Teller Amendment in war declaration → Cuban independence
Teller (Colorado) proposed an amendment to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain: U.S would not establish permanent control over Cuba.
Influences push for Panama Canal and stronger navy (Great White Fleet)
T.R. supports Panamanian independence from Colombia
Social/Cultural
Intensified imperialism debate → anti-imperalists said war was about liberating Cuba, not acquiring the Philippines
Made it popular to be patriotic
Economic
Increased involvement in Asia
Establish better trade access to Asia
Open Door Policy in China - John Hay U.S secretary dispatches notes to equal trading privileges → levels U.S sphere of influence; end European spheres of influence
1900 Boxer Rebellion against foreign powers gets put down by multinational military force that included U.S → weaken China and end imperial dynasties
T.R (Theodore Roosevelt) mediates peace in Russo-Japanese War in 1905, negotiates “Gentleman’s Agreement” over discrimination in U.S
The Gentleman's Agreement was an informal agreement between the United States and Japan in 1907. It aimed to address the issue of Japanese immigration to the U.S. by restricting the number of Japanese immigrants. Japan agreed to limit the emigration of its citizens to the U.S., while the U.S. agreed to repeal discriminatory laws against Japanese immigrants. This agreement was not a formal treaty and was eventually superseded by the Immigration Act of 1924.
Lay groundwork for Panama Canal
Suppression of Independence in Philippines
Emilio Aguinaldo fought with the U.S in Philippines, leads Attack on US after denial of independence
~ 20,000 Filipino war casualties, up to 1 million civilian casualties
Insular Cases decide constitutional rights not automatically given
The Insular Cases refer to a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the early 20th century that determined the constitutional rights of people in territories acquired by the United States, such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines. These cases established that the Constitution does not necessarily apply in full to these territories and that Congress has the power to govern them differently. The decisions had significant implications for the legal status and rights of individuals in these territories.
U.S Constitution and Bill of Rights did not apply to overseas holdings
1916 Jones Act grants rights, lays path to independence