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: wanted the US to support Spain in order to protect their investments. This split the US in half and caused arguments and disagreements.

2. José Martí: organized Cuban resistance against Spain, campaigning and destroying property. Such as american owned sugar mills and plantations. This only angered Spain even more if they weren't enough.

3. Valeriano Weyler: Trying to destroy rebellion, he brought together the entire population of western and central Cuba into concentration camps. About 300,000 Cubans were in these camps, and thousands died from hunger and disease. The death of this many definitely caused a huge outbreak, and pushed Cuba to fight back against Spain even more. His actions also led to yellow journalism.

4. Yellow journalism: These brutal and touching stories made many Americans sympathize for rebels, making them favor Cuba. Causing a war in the newspapers.

5. De Lôme letter: This private letter written by Enrique Dupuy, deeply upset the Americans. The letter from the Spanish minister bashed president McKinley which caused most of America to not favor Spain. This also led to the U.S.S. Maine.

6. U.S.S. Maine: These boats were exploded apparently by Spain, since they were angry that because of the De Lome letter, America was not in favor for Cuba, and deeply resented Spain.



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


7. Cuba: were freed from Cuba

8. Puerto Rico: now belonged to the United States

9. Guam: now belonged to the United States

10. Philippine Islands: sold over to the United States

Iraq Q & A

Directions: Read Part I (Pages 1 - 12) and answer the short answer and extended response questions below. Then, read Part II (Pages 13 - 29) and answer the questions that follow. All answers are due either on your blog (label the post Iraq) or you can submit them in writing on Tuesday. (NOTE: There are two graphic organizers at the end of the readings to help you organize your information for Part II.)

Part I Questions:

Short Response

1. Where do most Kurds, Shi'a, and Sunnis live in Iraq?

Kurds: In mountainous regions of Iraq - Kurdistan, which covers sections of Iran, Syria, Turkey, and Iraq.

Shi'a: In the South

Sunnis: In less oil-rich areas

2. Which ethnic group(s) hold(s) power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq?
The South and North holds the power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq. The ethnic groups that do are Shi'a and Kurds.

3. What is the main reason Britain become involved in Iraq?
The main reason Britian became involved in Iraq is because both Britian and France had no oil feilds of their own so after the end of Ottoman Empire they saw the opportunity to benefit themselves and gian control of the region to obtain their own oil feilds.

4. What did pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?
Pan-Arabists advocated independence for the whole Middle East and wanted the Iraqi government to break off relationships with Britian.

5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970s?
Saddam Hussein was able to gain power and popularity in the 1970's because the great increase of oil prices enabled him with the money to fund universal free eduactionm create a well-developed public health care system, and reform the agricultural system.

6. Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq War?
The United States became involved in the Iran-Iraq War because they did not want an Iran victory so they helped out Iraq, especially when Iran attacked Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulfs. Also the U.S benefited itself by secretely helping Iran to secure the freedom of U.S hostages held in Lebanon.

7. Why did President George H.W. Bush (1989-93) bring the ground portion of the First Persian Gulf War to a halt? List two reasons.

a. If Iraq controlled the Kuwaiti oil feilds, Suddam Hussein would uphold too much power, controlling one quarter of the worlds resources.

b. Suddam Hussein growing to be a dictator.

Extended Response:

8. What are the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq? Why is it important to understand these differences?
The different ethnic and religious groups in the Iraq were the Kurds, Sunni's and Shi'a (both brances of Islam), Arabians, Muslims, and a small minority of Christians and Jews. It is important to understand these differents of religous groups to get a better idea of why the violence in Iraq began with Saddam Hussein aiming to create a non religious based government and how difficult it was for the United States to make decisions.

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Part II Questions:

Short Response

9. What dangers did President George W. Bush (2001-09) say Iraq posed to the region and the world? Name two.

a. The Iraq's alleged weapons program

b. Sponsorship of terrorism

10. What were the U.S. government's declared goals in sending troops to Iraq?

a. Remove Saddam Hussein from power.

b. Uncover WMD.

11. List two reasons violence continues in Iraq.

a. Illegal weapon dealers work throughout the country to sell arms that are smuggled over the borders from Iran and Syria. And many Iraqi's are angry that the U.S continue to stay.

b. People are taking advantage of Iraq's insecurity to take part in violence to make money for themselves.

Extended Response:

12. Describe the different groups involved in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. What are their goals? (Reasons for fighting)

Shi'a: Oppose the U.S led occupation. They are also in conflict with major Shi'i militia over political and economic control of specific regions in southern Iraq.

Sunni: Believes that the Shi'a are trying to take complete control of Iraq and blame the United States for this. They are also worried that they are going to be shut out from the government.

Kurd: Want self determination for Kurdistan. Have been fighting for autonomy for decades.

Al Qaeda: Aims to develop sectarian violence in order to overthrow the Iraqi government. Some members even want to create a caliphate (one Islamic state that would cause countries across the region)