Spanish American War Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was the Spanish-American War?

A conflict between Spain and the U.S. fought in the Philippines and Cuba (correct)

A trade agreement between the U.S. and Spain

A diplomatic discussion between the U.S. and Spain

An internal conflict within Spain

Which factors led to the Spanish-American War? (Select all that apply)

Yellow Journalism (correct)

American imperialism (correct)

Spain's mismanagement of its colonies (correct)

Opium Wars

What was the primary reason for American sympathy towards the Cuban rebels?

Cuba had been rebelling against Spain for 30 years.

America wanted war with Spain.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is Yellow Journalism?

Newspapers exaggerated stories of the Cuban Revolution to increase sales. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the two prominent yellow journalists?

Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Signup and view all the answers

Who was De Lome?

Spanish ambassador. Signup and view all the answers

What did the De Lome letter say about President McKinley?

It contained many negative remarks. Signup and view all the answers

What event pushed America to declare war?

The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of sending the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba?

To protect American sugar interests. Signup and view all the answers

What happened when the U.S.S. Maine exploded?

260 men were killed and Spain was blamed. Signup and view all the answers

What was the war cry during the Spanish-American War?

'Remember the Maine.' Signup and view all the answers

What assistance did the U.S. offer during the war?

Help to the Philippines. Signup and view all the answers

Who led the U.S. victory at the Battle of Manila Bay?

Commodore George Dewey. Signup and view all the answers

The Spanish fleet was destroyed during the war.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who was Theodore Roosevelt?

He resigned as Secretary of the Navy to join the Rough Riders. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Rough Riders?

A volunteer cavalry unit. Signup and view all the answers

What were Buffalo Soldiers?

African American soldiers who served in the cavalry. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Battle of San Juan Hill?

It was a crucial battle that gave America an advantage. Signup and view all the answers

Who became famous after the Battle of San Juan Hill?

Theodore Roosevelt. Signup and view all the answers

What were the results of the Spanish-American War? (Select all that apply)

U.S. acquires Guam and Puerto Rico Signup and view all the answers

What was the Treaty of Paris?

Debate on rights to annex the Philippines and payment to Spain of 20 million. Signup and view all the answers

How many U.S. casualties were there in the war?

5,400 died in total, with 379 in battle and 5,000 from malaria. Signup and view all the answers

What were the territorial gains from the Spanish-American War?

Strengthened U.S. economically, politically, and militarily. Signup and view all the answers

If the Spanish-American War hadn't happened, what wouldn't have occurred?

The Boxer Rebellion or Open Door Policy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Spanish-American War Overview

Conflict between Spain and the U.S. occurred in 1898, primarily in the Philippines and Cuba.
Known as "the splendid little war" due to its brief duration and significant outcomes.

Causes of the War

American imperialism fueled desires for territorial expansion.
Yellow journalism played a crucial role by sensationalizing news of the Cuban Revolution to attract readers.
Spain's mismanagement of its colonies, particularly in Cuba and the Philippines, led to escalating tensions.
Social Darwinism influenced beliefs that the U.S. military needed to demonstrate its superiority.

Key Events and Players

Long-standing unrest in Cuba, with continuous rebellion against Spanish rule for 30 years, garnered American sympathy.
Growing sentiment in the U.S. for a war against Spain.
The De Lome letter criticized President McKinley and was published, causing public outrage.
The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor killed 260 men, leading to the rallying cry, "Remember the Maine."

War Progression

The U.S. intervened in the Philippines during the war, offering military assistance.
The Battle of Manila Bay marked the first major engagement, resulting in a decisive victory for U.S. forces led by Commodore George Dewey.
Advance of the U.S. fleet was aided by superior steel ships compared to Spain's wooden vessels.

Key Military Figures

Theodore Roosevelt resigned as Secretary of the Navy to join the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry unit.
The Rough Riders, along with Buffalo Soldiers, played pivotal roles in battles, particularly at San Juan Hill, which was critical for U.S. positioning.

Outcomes and Consequences

The U.S. emerged victorious, leading to the Treaty of Paris, which ended the war.
The Treaty granted the U.S. Guam and Puerto Rico, while also addressing the Philippines, for which the U.S. paid Spain $20 million.
Approximately 5,400 American soldiers died, with 5,000 of those from malaria, highlighting the war's health challenges.
U.S. territorial gains post-war bolstered its economic, political, and military standing globally.
Largely affected international relations and policy, influencing events such as the Boxer Rebellion and the Open Door Policy in China.

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Description

Explore key terms and concepts related to the Spanish-American War, often referred to as 'the splendid little war.' This quiz delves into the factors leading to the conflict, including American imperialism and the role of yellow journalism, as well as the unrest in Cuba and the Philippines during that time period.