what causes the Spanish American war and how does it end, what does America get?
Results of War:
1. Complete end of Spanish rule in the Americas that began with Columbus 2. US now involved in affairs of the Orient - no isolationism 3. US recognized as world power 4. War heals wounds of the Civil War, uniting North, South & West
Treaty of Paris, 1898:
1. Cuba independent, Spain pays heavy Cuban debt 2. PR, Guam, Phil ceded to US 3. US pays $20,000,000 for Philippines
Causes: (1)
2. Yellow journalism - most important single cause! William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer papers to increase circulation, wrote lurid headlines of Spanish atrocities against Cubans. General Weyler's policy of putting Cuban guerrillas and civilians into concentration camps where they died by the tens of thousands stirred the sympathy of the US. Nicknamed Weyler the Butcher. Artist cabled Hearst saying war between US and Spain seemed unlikely, Hearst replied, "you furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war."
Causes (2)
3. The de Lome letter - private letter from the Spanish minister in Washington to a friend. The letter was stolen and published. It said McKinley was a "spineless politician" (just what TR said). De Lome resigned his post.
Causes (4)
4. Explosion of the Maine in Havana harbor - immediate cause for the war. "Remember the Maine" became the battle cry. Maine sent to harbor in case Americans were in danger. Evening February 15, 1898, there was an explosion, officers were ashore. Ship's ammunition went up in flames. 260 of the 350 men aboard were killed. Hearst called it the enemy's secret infernal machine. No one knows why it blew up. But there was no turning back now.
What the US gets:
5,462 US deaths - 379 from battle - most from yellow fever, malaria, & diseases - tainted meat sold to Army by Armour Co. caused some to. US owns: Cuba, PR, Guam, Wake, Philippines What do we do with them? Give to Spain, Fr, Gr, GB, or leave them alone? Keep them & annex Hawaii in 1898. New Empire in the Pacific.
Spanish American War (1898)
Americans declared war on Spain after the ship Maine exploded in Havana's Harbor. The War was also caused by Americans' desire to expand as well as the harsh treatment that the Spanish had over the Cubans. Furthermore, the U.S. wanted to help Cubans gain independence from Spain. The war resulted in the U.S. gaining Guam and Puerto Rico as well as control over the Philippines. "A Splendid Little War."
The Mystery of the Maine Explosion
• William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were trying to outdo each other with sensationalist headlines • Hearst "You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war..." • 1898 US battleship Maine sent to Cuba on a friendly visit • February 9, 1898 - Dupay de Lome (Spanish Minister to the US) letter published in The New York Journal - called McKinley weak • February 15, 1989 - USS Maine explodes - 260 American officers killed - Spain concluded that it is accidental - US claims that Spain did it
