Imperialism's Bitter Fruit

Questions for Epilogue: Imperialism’s Bitter Fruit (pages 32-37)

1. a. After the Spanish were forced out of the Philippines, why did fighting break out between American and Filipino forces?

The Filipinos had believed that they were fighting for their independence, and had assumed that they would be granted that independence after the war was over. But American troops were stationed in the Philippines still.

b. How was this a different kind of warfare for American forces?

This was more of a guerilla war-fare rather than a more organized war like they had faced in Cuba. Common rules of was in western warfare were completely ignored.


2. Why were many African-Americans strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists?

They were critical of the racist attitudes that the military had of the Filippinos. Filippinos were often called "niggers" by white enlisted men. Also, being a soldier stationed in the Philippines still subjected black soldiers to the same discrimination that they faced at home in the U.S.

3. Explain two reasons why the United States lost some of its enthusiasm for imperialism in the early 1900s.

a.Imperialism would increase war and conflict around the world

b.Legal complications came with new territories


4. What were the positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba?
American technology contributed to rapid development on the islands, roads were built, telegraph lines, finances reorganized, new schools better sanitation and the disappearance of yellow fever were all positive affects.


5. After the Spanish-American War, the United States insisted that Cuba only receive independence after agreeing to several limitations set forth in the Platt Amendment. Four restrictions on Cuban independence set forth in the Platt Amendment were:

a. The U.S.'s right to oversee the Cuban economy


b. exercise veto power over Cuba foreign policy,


c.intervene when necessary (for the protection of "life property and individual liberty),


d.allowed to build a naval base on the southeastern tip of Guantanamo Bay.

Was the United States justified in making these demands? Explain your reasoning.

The United States had defeated the Spanish, who were previously in control of Cuba, so by the logic that the U.S. has claims to any of Spain's former possessions than yes the U.S. was justified in making these demands. The choice to limit Cuba's freedom was not necessarily the "kindest" thing to do, but justification in the U.S.'s imperialistic has more to do with who is more powerful than what is best for another country. However, these demands would be hard to justify as in a moral light.

6. Do you believe the United States was imperialist? Why or why not?

Yes I believe that the United States was imperialist because the foreign policy of the time showed little regard for anything other than the gaining of U.S. power. For example, the U.S. when they take over various pacific ocean islands does so with the primary focus of making economic and military gains. Although the U.S. presence in places like Puerto Rico and Cuba did lead to some positive things, it benefitted the U.S. the most and essentially came down to a question of increasing the U.S.'s power, which is the goal of imperialism-power through the conquering of other lands.

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.

Spanish-American War (1898)

Causes: How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War?

1. American business owners
American business owners were investing millions of dollars on the sugar plantations of Cuba, a Spanish territory.

2. José Martí
A cuban poet and journalist, launched a revolution against Spain.

3. Valeriano Weyler
Spanish General sent to Cubs to resolve disorder. Tried to crush revolt by setting up concentration camps.

4. Yellow journalism
Sensational style of writing, increases American sympathy for Cuba.

5. De Lôme letter
Private letter leaked to the public, critisizing president Mckinley.

6. U.S.S. Maine
American ship to cuba to bring home american citizens, explodes.


Effects: What happened to each of the following territories as a result of the Spanish-American War?

7. Cuba
Freed from Spain

8. Puerto Rico
became a US territory

9. Guam
became a US Territory

10. Philippine Islands
Goes to the U.S. for 20 million dollars.