Chapter 4: The Spanish-American War

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Treaty signed December 10, 1898 by the United States and Spain ending the Spanish-American War. The treaty also provided for the United States to keep troops in Cuba and for the annexation of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico by the United States.

USS Maine

U.S. Battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898; Evidence suggests an internal explosion; however, Spanish military was framed by Yellow Journalism. The incident was a catalyst for the Spanish American War

treaty

a formal agreement between the governments of two or more countries

Plantation

large estate farmed by many workers

exaggerate

overstate; go beyond the limits of the actual truth; magnify

tension

pressure between groups of people

Imperalism

the idea of expanding one's territory by taking over another country. This is done by creating colonies or areas that have been taken over.

Rough Riders

volunteer soldiers led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War

Manifest Destiny

1800s belief that Americans had the right to spread across the continent.

Spanish-American War

A war fought in 1898 between the US and Spain in Cuba and the Philippines. It lasted less than 3 months and resulted in Cuba's "independence" as well as the US annexing Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. It was started in part by the influence of yellow journalism after the explosion and sinking of the USS Maine.

Buffalo Soldiers

African American soldiers who served in the cavalry during the wars for the west

Philippine-American War

An armed conflict between the Philippines and the United States from 1899-1902. It was a continuation of the Philippine struggle for independence and descended into a savage guerrilla war in which the United States ultimately defeated the Philippine rebels.

yellow journalism

Journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers. It was one of the reasons for the Spanish-American War.

Annexation

The adding of a region to the territory of an existing political unit.