Spanish-American War

1. What connections did the U.S. have to Cuba in the late 1800s? List at least two.
In the late 1800's the United States, Americans invested $50 million dollars in Cuba, most of it invested in the islands sugar industry. Also the Cuban American trade had reached about 100$ million.

2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?
Spanish reconcentration camps held thousands of Cubans in towns being policed by Spanish troops. These reconcentration camps lacked food, sanitation, and housing. Over 300,000 Cubans died from starvation and the spreading of disease.

3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a. Yellow journalism causing American citizens to pity the Cubans.
b. The de Lôme Letter greatly insulted president McKinely
c. The U.S.S Marine explosion gave the U.S. an excuse to start a war against Spain

4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?
I think the explosion of the U.S.S Marine was the most important because that was the overall reason, or excuse, for the Americans to call a war against Spain, blaming Spaniards for the explosion.

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 United States saw the Philippines as a useful benefit to the United Sates, providing ports in the Pacific ocean that they wanted.

7. Dewey’s victory in the Philippines sparked an outpouring of volunteers in the United States.
Dewey's triumph caused great pride in the American citizens, and many volunteered to fight in Cuba, including the Rough Riders.

8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?
Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders wanted to fight in Cuba because Dewey's victory had created pride in the American citizens causing them to volunteer themselves to fight.


9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
Many African Americans were eager to serve in the Spanish- American War because they aw this as an opportunity to elevate the status of blacks in the United States. They hoped that their participation in the war would win the African- American community some new respect.

b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?
The African Americans encountered many forms of discrimination in the Spanish- American war. For example, they were denied promotion into the officer corps. Also black volunteers were not given a chance to fight in Cuba, and were discriminated against at the U.S. bases.

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 Americans didn't once consider that the African Americans or Asians who lived in Cuba, could be a force for progress. Very few Americans believed that the inhabitants of these islands were capable of developing stable democracies.

b. The United States ignored the Cuban rebels. Many Americans believed that the rebels, including blacks, needed guidance in managing all their affairs. As a result of this belief, American businesses went back to Cuba taking over their land, railroads, and dominating basically their entire economy.