The Spanish-American War: Economic Interests

The conflict that erupted in 1895, with Cuban rebels fighting against Spanish control.

Spain's response to the 1895 Cuban revolt, characterized by a brutal tactic of forcibly moving civilians into camps.

The designated locations where Cuban civilians were confined during the reconcentration policy.

The harsh conditions within the reconcentration camps.

A Spanish general who implemented the reconcentration policy in Cuba.

The role of the press in shaping public opinion regarding the Cuban revolt.

The involvement of Cuban nationalists living in the United States in supplying information about the Cuban revolt.

The impact of the Cuban revolt news on newspaper sales.

A period in American history marked by expansionist policies, particularly focused on acquiring overseas territories.

The idea that the United States had a God-given right to expand westward across the North American continent.

The Cuban Revolution was a struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule.

The practice of using sensationalized or exaggerated news stories to attract readers and influence public opinion.

William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were influential newspaper publishers who used Yellow Journalism techniques to generate support for U.S. intervention in Cuba.

American public opinion was divided on whether the U.S. should intervene in the Cuban Revolution.

Some Americans supported intervention in Cuba on humanitarian grounds, believing that the United States had a moral obligation to help the Cuban people.

American businesses were invested in Cuba, and their interests were threatened by the ongoing revolution. Some businesses favored U.S. intervention to restore peace and protect their investments.

A strategy employed by Cuban revolutionaries led by General Antonio Maceo Gomez, aimed at crippling the Spanish economy by halting sugar production and preventing the sale of supplies.

A leader of the Cuban Revolution, General Antonio Maceo Gomez, executed a strategy that crippled the island's economy by halting sugar production and forbidding farmers from selling to the Spanish. This strategy significantly impacted civilians who faced economic hardship.

The Spanish saw control over the Cuban economy as the key to victory in the Cuban Revolution.

Gomez's economic strategy of halting sugar production and restricting supplies caused great hardship for Cuban civilians who suffered from the economic fallout.

A key economic product of Cuba, sugar production was a major target of Gomez's strategy. The production halt aimed to starve the Spanish of resources.

Gomez's strategy involved preventing farmers from selling their supplies, including agricultural products, to the Spanish, further hindering Spain's logistics and weakening its military.

Gomez's economic strategy aimed to punish anyone who violated the restrictions on sugar production and supply sales.

Gomez used a strategy of economic isolation, targeting both the Spanish government and the Spanish military's ability to operate in Cuba.

The official announcement of the end of fighting in a war between nations.

The United States was unprepared for war in 1898, with only 28,000 soldiers, most stationed far from the fighting. In contrast, Spain had a much larger and more experienced force.

The volunteer army of the United States was short-handed, leading to challenges in training, outfitting, and even transporting the soldiers.

African Americans saw the war as an opportunity to improve their standing in the United States, believing their participation would earn them respect and break down racial barriers.

The U.S. Navy's victory in the Philippines led to an increase in military volunteers. The early success boosted morale and inspired more people to enlist.

Commodore George Dewey, the commander of the U.S. Pacific fleet, was instructed by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines.

The early success of the U.S. Navy in the Spanish-American War gave the country a taste of victory before the war officially began.

The Spanish-American War marked a shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving beyond the traditional focus on North America to expansion overseas.

Black regiments were among the first units mobilized for the Spanish-American War, as officials believed they were better suited to Cuba's tropical climate and less susceptible to diseases.

Black soldiers fought bravely in the Spanish-American War, earning praise for their actions.

Black soldiers' participation in the war was a significant factor in the US victory over Spain.

Black soldiers were initially denied promotion into the officer corps, despite their contributions and bravery.

Thousands of black volunteers offered to fight in the Spanish-American War, but many were initially rejected.

Black soldiers played a crucial role in the capture of Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, key battles in the Santiago Campaign.

In the Santiago Campaign, black soldiers from two regiments fought alongside Roosevelt's Rough Riders to capture Kettle Hill.

The offensive against Santiago resulted in the deaths of 10% of the US forces involved, showcasing the intense conflict.

These camps were created by the Spanish to isolate Cuban civilians during the rebellion. They became notorious for overcrowding, disease, and starvation.

The U.S. had several strong ties to Cuba, including economic interests and the protection of American citizens living there.

The Teller Amendment stated that the US had no intention of annexing Cuba, but would only help Cuba achieve independence.

The Philippines was also the site of combat during the Spanish-American War. This was because the US wanted control of the Philippines (and its strategic position in Asia).

Americans were deeply impacted by the reports of Spanish atrocities in Cuba, which fueled public outrage and pushed for intervention.

The U.S. went to war with Spain due to factors like the sinking of the USS Maine, sympathy for Cuban rebels, and protection of US business interests in Cuba.

Newspapers were eager to print stories about atrocities being committed by the Spanish in Cuba, as these stories were immensely popular with readers.

Prior to the war, many Americans were unaware of the conflict between Filipinos and Spain. The war brought the fight for independence in the Philippines to American public consciousness.