The Spanish - American War (1898)

Cuban Revolution

Neither the business community nor the politicians wanted to get involved. McKinley was reluctant to involve the nation.

Yellow Journalism

Journalists competing for subscribers brought every evil of the cuban revolution home, along with rediculous sensationalism. They aroused the public sentiment. One reporter rescued a woman in prison and smuggled her to the U.S. They created an uproar.

Sinking of the Maine (Feb. 15, 1898)

There was an explosion that sunk the U.S. naval vessel. 266 of her 315 officers were killed or missing. A Naval court of inquiry conducted an investigatio, determining that it was caused by a small external source, probably a submarine mine.

The spanish were blamed, though no one was sure who did it, or whether it was intentional. Nevertheless the majority of Americans believed that the Spanish did it. America began calling for war.

In March, McKinley sent an ultimatum to spain demanding Cuban independence. Spanish offerred home rule, but no official independence. That was not enough for the U.S. Spain sought intercession from Europe's gret powers.

• On April 7th, Ambassadors from Europe sent an appeal to the United States for peace.
• On April 11th and 24th, McKinley sent a second and final ultimatum.
• On April 25th, Spain severed relations. The U.S. declared war.
• By August 12th, the war was over. The United States easily defeated Spain. With its superior army and Civil War veterans.

Assistant secretary of the Navy Roosevelt had sent word to Duey, leader of the Asiatic fleet, to be ready to invade the Philippines in the event of war with Spain. When the war began, Duey was already in the Philippines and ready to move.

American Objectives

The war started with the US ultimatum to Cuba. The Ultimatum is a common tool used by the United States to get an opponent to sever ties and declare war first. Usually a rude, completely unacceptable ultimatum.

Some people say that the primary objective of the Spanish-American War was the capture of the Philippines. It is sure that Roosevelt, as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, became acting secretary of the Navy for about 4 hours one day when his superior went home early. He used that time to cable Admiral Duey to be prepared to take the Philippines should war break out with Spain.

On the eve of the war, Duey carried out these instructions. He was supported by an insurrection in the Philippines itself.

Independence of Cuba

Spanish Withdrawal

Non-annexation of Cuba (Teller Ammendment)

The War was not for territorial gains, but instead for humanitarian purposes.

Outcome

The war was a sweeping victory for the United States..

A serious debate resulted over the fate of the Philippines. Annexation without the consent of the governed was against the constitution.

The resolution to annex the Philippines passed in the Senate by one vote. Peace with Spain and annexation of the Philippines were part of the same treaty. If they had been separate, it is possible that the annexation would not have happened.

The Treaty of Paris (Dec. 1898)

The independence of Cuba was achieved. The U.S. acquired the Philippines, {Puerto Rico, and guam). Mckinley decided to annex all three, justifying his decision because:

• Giving them back to spain would be immoral.
• Giving them to other powers would just be plain bad business.
• They were unfit to rule themselves. Until we could educate them and make them fit for self rule, others would have to rule them.

Instense debates in the Senate. Anti-Imperialists did not want the Philippino people turned into Americans. They were "obviously" of an inferior racial stock. Besides, it was unconstitutional if they did not gree to be ruled. Tyrany outside would bring tyrany within. How can a democracy or republic rule the world and yet remain as it is?

Imperialists wanted naval bases, a market for goods, and a road to china. They said that our rule would bring these people modern industry and lifestyle, bettering their lives in ll ways.

The voting was close: won by one vote. Annexation was ratified. The cost to win the war came to $215 million.

Phillipine Insurrection (1899-1902)

The people of the Philippines had participated in the war on the side of the Americans, led by general Emilio Aguinaldo and his provisional government. They fought for their independence, believing they would be granted self-rule when it was over.

After annexation, the people felt betrayed. They took up arms against the U.S. The bloody war lasted three years, though resistence continued through 1906. Suppressing it was incredibly costly. Where the Spanish-American War cost $250 million, the suppression of the Philippine insurection cost $640 million and cost the lives of 5,000 Americans (mostly to disease) and over 200,000 Philippinos, mostly in concentration camps, to disease, starvation, and torture.

Faced with this response to their first imperialist enterprise, America responded with an anti-imperialist attitude.

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