The Spanish-American War 1898 Causes and Effects

The Spanish-American War (1898) Causes and Effects

Spain’s Holdings/Prelude ► Spanish holdings at the end of 19 th Century § Philippines/Guam in Pacific § A few outposts in Africa § Cuba and Puerto Rico ► American Interest in Cuba § 1854 Ostend Manifesto

Cuban Revolutions ► First War of Independence § 1868 -1878 ►Was a failure, but Cuba did manage to abolish slavery in 1886 § After emancipation, USA invests millions in sugar plantations ► Second War of Independence § Begins in 1895 ►Guerilla campaign ►Attempted to provoke the United States

Important People ► Jose Marti (1853 -1895) § Organized 2 nd Cuban Revolution ► Valeriano Weyler § Spanish General ► William § § Randolph Hearst New York Journal “You furnish the pictures, I’ll furnish the war. ” ► Joseph Pulitzer § New York World

American Interest ► Public opinion in the USA is split § Businesses Spanish § Other civilians Cubans ► Mc. Kinley takes office (1897) § Attempts Diplomatic solution ►Spain calls back Weyler ►Modifies concentration camps ►Spain offers Cuba limited self-government

The de Lome Letter & the U. S. S. Maine ► Enrique Dupuy de Lome § Spanish minister to the United States ► The U. S. S. Maine § Sent to Cuba to evacuate Americans § February 15 th, 1898 explodes in Havana Harbor, 260+ KIA § Spanish and US investigations took place

Outcry for War ► USA sends Spain ultimatum § End concentration camps § Armistice with Cuban rebels ► Mc. Kinley wanted to avoid war at all cost § Public Outcry § Doubts about Spain § Personal political gain

Mc. Kinley Asks for War ► April 11 th, 1898 § Mc. Kinley sends his war message to Congress § Urged armed intervention to free the oppressed Cubans ► Congress passes Teller Amendment § Cuba would be given their freedom after the US had overthrown Spanish ‘misrule’

War in the Pacific ► Spain expected first attack to be in Cuba ► American Pacific fleet steams to the Philippines § Strong steel navy (Mahan) § Led by Commodore George Dewey ► US fleet defeats Spanish fleet in Manila Bay on May 1 st, 1898

Poor Spain ► Spain loses Pacific fleet § 400 Sailors dead (Dewey = 0 casualties) ► Dewey becomes national hero § But could not invade Philippines with his sailors, was forced to wait for reinforcements ► European Imperialists protect interests in the Philippines, war with Germany avoided

Fighting in the Philippines ► Dewey had the support of the Filipinos ► 11, 000+ American soldiers travel to the Philippines, join Filipino rebels § Filipinos led by Emilio Aguinaldo ► Capture Manila ► Total American losses in Philippines § 136 Casualties

The War in the Caribbean ► Blockade of Cuba § Demonstrated strength of new US Navy ► Army was very small § Relied on volunteers § Unsuited for tropical climate ► 17, 000 land in Cuba (June) § Four African American regiments § Calvary units (Rough Riders)

Fighting in the Caribbean ► Shafer lands near Santiago § Little resistance ► Spanish were too unorganized, Santiago taken easily § Battle of Kettle/San Juan Hills (July 1) ► Puerto Rico (July 25) taken after destruction of Spanish fleet (July 3)

Treaty of Paris ► Armistice – August 12 th § “A splendid little war” ► Treaty approved Feb 6, 1899 § US gains ►Guam ►Puerto Rico ►Philippines sold for $20 Million § Manila taken the day after the armistice had been signed

Casualties Total Service Members 306, 760 Battle Deaths 385 Wounded 1, 662 Disease 2, 061

Puerto Rico and Cuba ► Foraker Act – Puerto Rico (1900) § Ended military rule in PR and set up a civil gov § PR granted U. S. citizenship in 1917 ► Platt Amendment – Cuba (1901) § Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its independence or permit a foreign power to control any part of its territory § The US reserved the right to intervene in Cuba § Cuba was not to go into debt § The US could buy or lease land on the island for naval stations and refueling stations

The Philippines ► The US assumes similar role as Spanish § Philippines = gateway to China/East Asia ► Filipinos rise in revolt § Led by Emilio Aguinaldo ► 70, 000 US troops sent to put down rebellion § Lasts 3 years, cost $400 million ► US sets up government similar to PR § Philippines gain independence July 1, 1946

Casualties ► Total Service Members ► Combat Deaths 70, 000 1, 020 ► Wounded 2, 930 ► Disease 3, 176

Impact of the War ► Emergence of the U. S. as a great power § Industrial § Military ► Naval Power ► U. S. move toward Imperialism ► First “Media War”