the monroe doctrine and rising tensions with spain
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The Monroe Doctrine and Rising Tensions with Spain
America and Empires: The Early Days!
America fought a long and costly war for independence from English domination. Thirty years later, we once again for an English force.
These victories inspired numerous Latin American countries to fight for and eventually gain their own freedom.
But Britain, France, and Spain weren’t willing to just turn and walk away. So what happened?
James Monroe
James Monroe was our fifth president.
He helped pave the way for many American slaves to be freed and return to their native Africa.
He also, though, wanted to promote a great America.
The Monroe doctrine, announced in 1823, stated that the free countries in the American hemisphere were permanently free from Europe. If need be, we would help them fight to stay free.
Once upon a time in Cuba
The biggest threat to the Monroe Doctrine came in Cuba in the later half of the 19th century (1800s)
Cuba was fighting for its independence from Spain
It began a little later than most of Latin
It’s war began in 1868, lasted ten years, and was unsuccessful.
Does anyone know why we wouldn’t get involved right away?
But finally…..
By the 1890s, though, America was a stronger country and many American businesses were in Cuba.
Jose Marti, a Cuban leader, launched a new war for independence, hoping to get America’s help.
Leading to….
The Spanish-American War was caused in 1898 when the U.S. assisted Cuba in their fight for independence, claiming the Monroe Doctrine as reason enough.
The Powder Keg
President McKinley sent the USS Maine to Havana Harbor to protect American businesses in Cuba.
It exploded under mysterious circumstances.
We blamed Spain and declared war.
YELLOW JOURNALISM
American newspapers were thrilled. By this point, people realized war led to people reading (today, watching) the news!
Each newspaper came up with the most sensational news stories of evil Spanish actions.
This system of making up the news instead of just reporting it is called “Yellow Journalism”