- During the Cuban revolt, the United States had great interest in acquiring Cuba. Leading rebels of the country wanted to eventually join the United States. Ulysses Grant, the president at the time, was open to the idea but his secretary of state persuaded him to keep the country out of conflict.
- After the Cuban revolt was over the U.S. invested million into the island's sugar industry. The U.S. was the largest consumer of Cuban sugar ans in 1890 removed tariffs on the product making it cheaper to buy in the country. Cuban-American trade quickly reached $100 million annually. Although the depression of 1893 greatly hurt both their economies. The U.S. was pressured to cut back on imports and protect sugar producers within the country. In 1894 the country imposed a 40% tariff on sugar imports from Cuba. The Cuban economy began into a downward spiral.
2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?
Spanish reconcentration camps were towns filled with thousands of Cuban peasants. They were used by the Spanish to prevent non-rebels from helping the nationalist forces. These "camps" lacked food, housing, and sanitation. This caused a widespread of disease and starvation killing thousands.
3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a. Publishers found out that stories on the Cuban revolt sold newspapers, whether they were real or fake. Owners of the two largest newspaper chains sent reporters to cover the revolt and generate support for U.S. intervention. Also religious magazine, mostly Protestant ones, supported intervention for humanitarian reasons. Others argued that American property was being destroyed because of the fighting. People of the business community wanted peace restored so their investments would no longer be threatened. Some merchants wanted intervention because the rebellion was causing their trade to dry up.
b. The de Lome Letter was a letter written by the Spanish minister, Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, to the United States. Previously William McKinley had just taken office in 1897 and wanted to avoid war even though there was a rise in American intervention in Cuba. His efforts seemed successful when Spain recalled General Weyler, modified the policy regarding concentration camps, and even offered Cuba a limited self-government. Although the letter was not very supportive and criticized the President calling him "weak" and "a bidder for the administration of the crowd". To make matters worse the letter was first heard about when it was stolen from a Havana post office by a Cuban rebel and leaked to the New York Journal in February 1898. Although the Spanish government apologized and the minister resigned, American people were still angry over their president being insulted.
c. U.S.S. Maine was sent to Cuba by President McKinley to bring Americans citizens, who were in danger from the fighting, home and protect American property. On February 15, 1898 the ship blew up while in the harbor; more than 260 were killed. Nobody knew who was behind the attack but newspapers blamed the Spanish causing outrage amongst Americans.
4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?
I believe intervention was due to people believing the stories published in the newspapers. They went not for a specific reason but because they believed all the exaggerated news. Without the newspaper many of the stories which made major headlines, such as the de Lome letter and the U.S.S. Maine, would be minor events that wouldn't cause much concern. Also some of the events wouldn't have even happened if it wasn't for reporters writing about the events happening in Cuba.
5. What did the Teller Amendment say?
The Teller Amendment said that the United States had no interest in asserting "sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control" over Cuba and promised to "leave the government and control of the island to its people" once peace was restored.
6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
A portion of the Spanish-American War was fought in the Philippines because the Spanish had a fleet based there.
7. Dewey’s victory in the _____________Phillipines_______________ 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 for pride in their country.
9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
They were eager to serve in the war because they saw the war as an opportunity to elevate the status of blacks in the U.S. They hoped that their participation would wint the African- American community new respect and chip away at the wall of discrimination. Military service had been one of the few avenues for advancement open to African Americans.
b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?
Even though African Americans had a lower rate of desertion and discipline problems than their white counterparts, they were denied promotion into the officer corps. They were among the first units to be mobilized. They were assumed to be better suited to the tropical climate of Cuba and more likely to withstand tropical disease. The black volunteers were never given the chance to fight in Cuba. Also their uniforms seldom shielded them from discrimination.
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.American bsinesses took over Cuban land and railroads; thus dominating the economy. This was only done because the administration and Congress felt that the rebels needed guidance in managing all their affairs.
b. Because of racial sterotypes American leaders had little hope in the African Americans and Asians who lived in Cuba , Puerto Rico, the Phillipines, and Guam. Few thought of the inhabitants of being able to form a stable democracy on their own.
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