Spanish-American War (1898)

Questions for Part II—The Spanish-American War

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

American investors had over $50 million invested in Cuban markets. Most of it in the island's sugar industry.
The U.S was also the largest consumer of Cuban sugar. In 1890, the United States removed tariffs on Cuban sugar, making it less expensive to buy. This boosted the Cuban economy and increased the profits of AMerican investors on the island and Cuban American trade approached $100 million dollars annually.

2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps"?

To try and crush the cuban revolt through isolation, the Spanish government sent hundreds of Cuban peasants into towns policed by Spanish forces. These camps did not have enough food, housing or sanitation and led to the spread of disease as well as many deaths from starvation and killed thousands in total.



3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a.
American sympathized with the Cubans. At first, business men wanted their profits in Cuba protected but later they believed that a war with Spain would give the U.S. more economic and political power.
b.
The de Lome letter made the U.S. furious at the Spanish
c.
The sinking of the Maine. Many people believed that the Spanish had sunk it because the press immediately blamed Spanish authorities before a thorough investigation took place.


4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?
I believe that the sinking of the Maine is the most important because it was what united American opinion on the war. Before the country was still largely divided on whether or not they should go to war with Spain but after The MAine sunk and the papers blamed the Spanish, Americans were so enraged that there was no longer a question on whether or not there should be a war with Spain.

5. What did the Teller Amendment say?

The amendment stated that the united states did not want assert " sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control" on Cuba and promised the Cuban government control over the island.

6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
A U.S. fleet was to attack a Spanish fleet stationed in the Philippines.

7. Dewey’s victory in the _____________Manila Harbor_______________ sparked an outpouring of ______pride___________ in the United States.



8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?
They were eager to fight in Cuba after Dewey's victory.


9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
African Americans wanted to gain more status. They hoped that by fighting in the war the blacks could gain more respect and reduce discrimination.


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

In the military, blacks were denied promotion into the officer corps. Originally when many black soldiers volunteered to fight they were rejected by all but 3 states. Black regiments were not given the chance to fight in Cuba. They were discriminated against at bases in the United States.


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.After the war in Cuba, Cuban rebels were invited to confer on the surrender. The US ignored the Cuban rebels and did not believe them to be capable of managing themselves. Many of the Cuban rebels were black.

b. Although the Filipinos thought that the Americans would grant them their independence after the war, the United States did not believe that the Filipino people were capable of running their own country.