The Spanish-American War

Results of the Spanish-American War

Cuba gained its independence. The United States emerged as a world power and gained new territories. Spain lost control of several colonies.

Why was the number of deaths from yellow-fever during the Spanish-American War significantly higher for Spanish soldiers than for U.S. soldiers?

Spanish soldiers fighting Cuban rebels were in Cuba much longer than U.S. soldiers.

Why did some American leaders support a policy of imperialism by the late 1800s?

They believed the world needed American liberty and democracy. They wanted to obtain more natural resources and new materials to grow the U.S. economy. They wanted military bases around the world to protect American businesses.

Theodore Roosevelt

This "rough rider" became a war hero in the Spanish-American War, contributing to his eventual election as president of the United States.

William McKinley

This U.S. president asked Congress to send troops to Cuba, resulting in the start of the Spanish-American War, and with victory, America emerged as a world power.

Reasons why the U.S. declared war on Spain in 1898

U.S. businesses wanted to protect their economic investments in Cuban sugar. U.S. citizens were unhappy with the way Spain ruled Cuba.

Yellow journalism

exaggerated and misleading reporting that impacted the opinions of many American citizens in the months leading up to the Spanish-American War. It caused Americans to be more sympathetic to Cuban rebels and more angry about the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine. This caused Americans to be more willing to go to war with Spain.

Treaty of Paris

signed at the end of the Spanish-American War that gave the United States possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico