The Big Stick America and The World

Imperialism and the Spanish-American War

Imperialism-When powerful nations created empires by nominating other lands.
Manifest Density- The idea (prevalent esp in the 1840s and 50s) that it was Americas obvious
(manifest) and inevitable fate to occupy the entire continent.
Monroe Doctrine- Declaration by president monroe in 1823 that the UNited States would oppose
efforts by an outside power to control a nation in the Western Hemisphere.
The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
Speak softly and carry a big stick
The US would police areas of the caribbean and central America
US did not want Europe interfering with the Americas
Under the policy, the US would intervene in many of these countries
Reasons for Imperialism
1.
Public Support
Future prosperity depended on access to world markets
Territorial expansion and expansion of trade
2.
Military Strength
Naval Bases and coaling stations throughout the world
This helped the US with expansions
3.
Economic Pressure
World trade lessened the threat of economic depressions
4.
Spanish Misrule in Cuba
1895-Cuban Revolt-fueled by spanish rule and falling sugar prices
Spain-sent general valeriano Weyler-ruthless governor
Reconcentration-Spanish Policy-Cuban villagers in concentration camps
many died of hunger and neglect
5.
Yellow Journalism
A style of newspaper writing in the late 1890s that featured sensational headlines and
stories
Newspapers fed the anti-spanish hysteria and downplayed brutal deeds of the rebels
Newspapers came out all day, like tv news
6.
Remember the Maine
U.S.S. Maine-1898 sent to Havanas Harbor to protect U.S. citizens and property
February 15 1898 Explosion destroys U.S.S. maine-266 sailors dead
Many Us Citizens favored war
4 Spanish Concessions
President Mckinney
-Supported Cuban independence
-Presented Spain with demands including the withdrawal of Spain from Cuba
de Lome Letter-Spanish ambassador of the US whose letters described Mckinney as weak
Printed in the NY journal. US was pissed Spain refused
Mckinney asks for declaration of war-granted April 25 1898
Military Operations of the Spanish American War

Dewey of Manila Bay

First, fighting took place in the Philippines
Commodore George Dewey-Commander of the US fleet based in Hong Kong
Dewey's fleet sunk or captured the entire spanish fleet at Manila Bay
US troops took Manila
Land Warfare in Cuba
Poor preparations: Army - Not equipped to launch an invasion of Cuba
Rough riders-Mixed Crew of cowboys, college students, adventurers.
Theodore Roosevelt was promoted to leader of the group
The rough riders charged and took Saun Jaun Hill
The black riders of the 9th and 10th regiments assisted the rough riders
Most deaths were a result of Yellow fever and food poisoning, not battle
Battle Deaths-385, Yellow Fever and Food Poisoning Deaths- 2061