Spanish-American War

1. What connections did the U.S. have to Cuba in the late 1800s? List at least two.

Cuba was one of America's primary tradeing markets in the 1800s. Over $50 million of American money was invested in Cuban sugar plantations and the US was the primary consumer of Cuban sugar.

2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?

They were camps that non-rebel Cubans were forced to live in by the Spanish during the Cuban Revolution so that they could not supply the rebels with food and other necessary supplies. Due to the poor living conditions of these camps, thousands perished.

3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.

a. Newspapers, influenced by Cuban nationalists, swayed the public opinion against the Spanish.

b. The Spanish ambassador insulted President McKinley.

c. The USS Maine exploded. Many falsely accused the Spanish.

4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?

I believe the yellow journalism in the newspapers of the time were the most important factor in the US's war against the Spanish. This is because every factor that was cited as a reason for war was made to look alot worse than it actually was by the newspapers, further contributeing to the anti-Spanish feeling of the US population at this time.

5. What did the Teller Amendment say?

It said the US had no intrest in controling Cuba after the fighting was resolved.

6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?

The US attacked Spanish forces in the Philippines because the Spanish were expecting the majority of the war to be fought in Cuba.

7. Dewey’s victory in the battle in Manila sparked an outpouring of pride in the United States.

8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?

They wanted to fight in Cuba due to the riseing national pride in the country at the time.

9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?

They believed it was a chance to gain the respect of the US and be seen in a new light, free from raceism.

b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?

They were denied promotion to the officer dorps.

10. How did racism influence American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines? Give two examples of events where racism affected U.S. policy after the war.

a. The US believed the Cubans needed to be "guided" after the war and did not allow them to be a part of the discussions with Spain after the war ended.

b. The US did not allow for the Philippeins to have independencd right away after their revolution.