5) Explain the foreign and domestic situations that led to the Spanish-American War.
o Cuba-people of cuba had revolted numerous times, only to be defeated by the Spanish every time. The U.S. at the time traded a great deal with cuba, more than spain did in fact.
o The majority of the American public supported the rebels in cuba
o American investors were worried that the rebellion would harm them
o The Cleveland administration tried not to get involved physically, but to be an intermediary, but growing public support for war put pressure on him
o When McKinley entered office the stance of neutrality changed.
o Spain offered cuba their own govt but not independence, but cuba refused, the fighting continued.
o Early 1898 an American ship blew up while in Havana Harbor, increasing the desire for war among Americans
o Theodore Roosevelt, assistant secretary of the navy, was pushing very strongly for war, and it was getting hard for McKinley to resist.
o Spain offered a negotiation to the U.S., but a day too late for McKinley had asked congress for a declaration of war. Congress went further and declared cuba independent and demanded that spain leave
o Spain responded by declaring war, not giving in, and so began the Spanish American war
6) Describe the major campaigns and participants in the Spanish American war.
o Manila Bay-
o Roosevelt was focused on the Philippines while others were focused on Cuba. He appointed Commodore George Dewey head of a small American fleet in asia, and ordered it to attack spain in the Philippines, which they did.
o Dewey captured or destroyed all Spanish warships in Manila Bay; they lost no men, and only 8 were wounded, while the Spanish lost 381 men. Dewey stayed there until reinforcements arrived, and American took the Philippines.
o In Cuba-
o The U.S. had a blockade on the Spanish at Santiago, where numerous battles, land and sea, took place.
o Teddy Roosevelt led a cavalry unit known as Rough Riders. This group, along with some others, attacked a smaller group at San Juan Hill, and obliterated them.
o From there they could siege Santiago and the Spanish fleet. On July 3 the Spanish tried to retreat, but were far too slow, and they were also obliterated.
o The next day the Spanish asked for peace.
7) What were the peace terms?
o Spain had to give up cuba
o United States could annex Puerto Rico as a colony, and occupy Manila