What is the Spanish-American War?
The Spanish-American started and ended in 1898. The war lasted only 4 months, however, the results of this war would catapult the U.S. into a global power. Making the Spanish-American war the strongest example of the Monroe Doctrine, expanding U.S. imperialism and influence across the Caribbean and even into Asia. The war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in December, forcing Spain to give up almost the entirety of its overseas territories, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
"The Spanish-American War: Explained (Short Animated Documentary)"
Key Terms
Imperialism: The policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
Annexation: The act of adding a territory to an existing political unit, such as a country or state.
Cuban Revolution: A conflict that led to Cuba's independence from Spanish rule, which was a significant catalyst for the Spanish-American War.
Humanitarian: Concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare and social reform, often used to justify intervention in conflicts.
Teller Amendment: An amendment to a joint resolution of Congress that disclaimed any intention by the U.S. to annex Cuba after the war.
U.S Yellow Journalism: an a style of newspaper reporting that sensationalizes news events to provoke public interest and influence option.
Commodore Dewey: a naval officer best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American war.
Treaty of Paris: A The 1988 agreement that ended the Spanish-American war and resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories like Puerto Rico and Guam.
Insurrection: An act of rebellion against an established authority or government, often seen in the context of the Philippine-American War following the Spanish-American War.
Maine: The U.S. battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, an event that heightened tensions and helped catalyze the war.
Lesson Activities
Activity 1: Understanding the Spanish-American War through primary documents (credit to historicalthinkingmatters.org)
The documents are primary sources from the Spanish-American War, including journal entries, political cartoons, and newspaper articles. Comprehension and analytical questions are provided with each source.
Extra Resources/ Material
Spanish American War, an excerpt from The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century (California Edition). (2006) Eds. Gerald Danzer, J. Jorge Klor de Alva, Larry S. Krieger, Louis E. Wilson, and Nancy Woloch. McDougal Littell. pp. 347–8.
Cuba Libre” by Joaquin Miller: A poem advocating for the liberation of Cuba during the Spanish-American War and speaking against American imperialism as a whole.
Puerto Rico Territorial Status Timeline:This website details the long journey of Puerto Rico’s territorial status to the U.S., from its acquisition from the Spanish after the Spanish-American War, to the present-day debate of Puerto Ricans’ citizen status in the United States.
Interactive Online Exhibition – The Price of Freedom: Spanish American War