Spanish-American War

• 1898

  -          Cuban revolt against the rule of Spain
• U.S. War Fever Incited

  ·         USS Maine visited Cuba and mysteriously exploded in Havana Harbor February 15, 1898

  ·         A Spanish letter critical of President McKinley angered Americans

  ·         President McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war
• Congress’s Declaration of War

  ·         Issues a four part statement on April 19, 1898

  -          They declared Cuba free

  -          They stated that Spain must withdraw

  -          They stated that armed forces would be used to achieve the above two items

  -          They declared that the U.S. had no intention of annexing Cuba (Teller Amendment)
• Time Line and Events of the War

  ·         May 2, 1898

  -          Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish in the Philippines

  ·         August 13, 1898

  -          American troops capture Manila in the Philippines

  ·         July 3, 1898

  -          Spanish fleet destroyed in Cuba

  ·         August 12, 1898

  -          Armistice
• ·         May 2, 1898

  -          Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish in the Philippines
• ·         August 13, 1898

  -          American troops capture Manila in the Philippines
• ·         July 3, 1898

  -          Spanish fleet destroyed in Cuba
• ·         August 12, 1898

  -          Armistice
• Events to Consider during the War

  ·         The U.S. preparation for war with Cuba was poorly coordinated. Troops were poorly trained and conditions in the camps were very poor

  ·         The most famous of the troops were known as the Rough Riders. They were organized by Teddy Roosevelt and commanded by Col. Leonard Wood

  ·         5,000 Americans died in the war, but only 500 died in battle. The remainder died of disease
• Opposition to American Imperialistic

  ·         Anti-imperialists argued against acquisition of the Philippines:

  -          Violated the American ideal of “consent of the governed” as found in the Declaration of Independence

  -          Despotism abroad might lead to despotism at home

  -          Annexation would propel the U.S. into the political and military cauldron of the Far East
• McKinley’s Decision

  ·         The President decides to keep control of the Philippines

  ·         This decision was followed by a rebellion in the Philippines led by Emilio Aguinaldo

  ·         The rebellion lasted 3 years, cost more than 170 million dollars, and resulted in the lives of 4,000 Americans and 20,000 Filipinos

  ·         With the Philippines as a base, the U.S. now sought an Open Door Policy in China

  ·         Cuba was freed, but the U.S. imposed the Platt Amendment which gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba and to guarantee a U.S. base in southeast Cuba (Guantanamo Bay)
• McKinley’s Considerations

  ·         He considered commercial interests: a base for trade in Asia; the need to keep other countries from seizing it

  ·         He considered what was the “White Man’s Burden”: to develop, educate, and uplift less fortunate peoples

  ·         He considered the need for refuelling bases for the growing U.S. Navy (Alfred Thayer Mahan’s book, “The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783)