SOL REVIEW MATERIALS FOR UNIT FOURConflict and Cooperation – The Spanish-American War and the United States Foreign Policy in Latin America, 1898 - 1930

Reasons for the Spanish American War

Protection of American business interests in Cuba. The United States had and interest in many Cuban businesses:

Oil Sugar Cane Refineries Tobacco Plantations Hotels and Casinos Agricultural Products

Reasons for the Spanish American War

•American support of Cuban rebels to gain independence from Spain:

For almost a decade, Americans had been raising money for Cubans seeking independence. Jose Marti was the leader of the Cuban independence movement.

Americans gave money to the cause.

Reasons for the Spanish American War

Rising tensions between Spain and the United States as a result of the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor

The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. The circumstances were mysterious, but it is likely that the ship’s destruction was an accident.

“Remember the Maine!” was the battle cry of the United States during the war.

Reasons for the Spanish American War

There were exaggerated news reports of the events in Cuba – a practice known as “yellow journalism.”

Newspaper editors William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer both engaged in this practice, blaming the Spanish for atrocities – like the explosion of the Maine.

They wanted the US to declare war on Spain, some said, only to sell newspapers.

RESULTS OF THE SPANISH AMERICAN WARThe United States emerged as a world power, earning the respect of major military powers in Europe after decisively defeating the Spanish in the war. Other imperialist nations took note: the United States was a formidable opponent.

RESULTS OF THE SPANISH AMERICAN WARAt the end of the war, Spanish misrule over Cuba was over. Cuba gained its independence. The United States still considered Cuba a protectorate, however – meaning that while Cuba was independent, our nation could intervene in their affairs if turmoil or disorder occurred.

RESULTS OF THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

At the end of the Spanish-American War, the United States also claimed three colonies:

Guam

Puerto Rico

The Philippines

In the Philippines, a brutal civil war was conducted, and hundreds of thousands died before the United States took over the islands.

THE ROOSEVELT COROLLARY TO THE MONROE DOCTRINE

The Roosevelt Corollary asserted the United States’ right to interfere in the economic matters and disputes of nations in Latin America or the Caribbean – the entire Western Hemisphere. Indeed, we claimed that we had the right to settle any disputes – financial or political, between nations in the Western Hemisphere. We were the new police power in the region.

THE ROOSEVELT COROLLARY TO THE MONROE DOCTRINE

The United States claimed the right to intervene in any part of the Caribbean, Central America, or South America if their was a disturbance. In essence we were establishing our own Sphere of Influence in the Western Hemisphere.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PANAMA CANAL IS AN EXAMPLE OF BIG STICK DIPLOMACY.

Originally, Columbia (capital city: Bogota) refused to give the US permission to build the Panama Canal. Roosevelt resorted to force, though. He encouraged Panama to claim independence, sent in the USS Nashville, and signed a treaty to build the canal.

THANKS TO THEODORE ROOSEVELT, THE PANAMA CANAL WAS COMPLETED IN 1914, JOINING THE ATLANTIC AND THE PACIFIC OCEANS.