Spanish-American War

1. What connections did the U.S. have to Cuba in the late 1800s? List at least two.

Some connections the U.S. had with Cuba in the late 1800s were the sugar industry and the depression of 1893 effecting their economies. The U.S. removed the tariffs on the sugar from Cuba that entered their market which made it less expensive to buy sugar in the U.S., which boosted the Cuban economy and American investors on the island. Also, the depression of 1893 effected both Cuba's and America's economies. The depression pressured the U.S. to cut back on imports and to try to protect their sugar inestors on Cuba. It also made the Cubans become to rebel, again, against Spain.

2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?

They were the towns were the "peasants" were held so they couldn't help the rebels in any way, and the camps were filled with disease, there was starvation, inadequate food, housing, and sanitation which made many people die. The "peasants" were actually 'herded' there by their governor, Valeriano Weyler, and in the camps they were watched by Spanish troops.


3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a. The brutality in the camps made U.S. citizens feel bad for them and that they should help.

b. They were greatly insulted by the Spanish minister's letter and it angered many people

c. They U.S.S. Maine explosion was 'blown' out of proportion and newspapers blamed the Spanish which the public believed and agreed with them.


4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?

I believe that the brutality in the camps against the "peasant" Cubans was the most important reason because the tactics of General Maximo Gomez and Spain were horrible, the "peasants" or citizens of Spain shouldn't be put inton camps just because Spain didn't want them helping the rebels. They, Spain and General Gomez, went way across the line in trying to keep their hold on Cuba. For that reason the United States had a perfect reason to intervene and go to war against Spain. Also, America went through almost the same thing with their independence from Britain they should look at this as an addition to independent countries and to still prove that the U.S. is powerful.

5. What did the Teller Amendment say?

The Teller Amendment said that the U.S. had no interest in "sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control 'over Cuba and promised' to leave the government and control of the island to its people 'once peace was restored.'" Or in other words the United States had no interest in controling Cuba and thought that they should govern themselves but once peace is back in the country. Two problems, though, came with this ammendment (they were told from groups and people). Anti-imperialists saw that there was a larger plan that America was making to make their own empire with the intervention in Cuba, and sugar growers were fearful of the annexation of Cuba because with Cuba they would have no competition in the market.

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 there was a Spanish base there in Manila and the U.S. were already in there before the war was even declared so they easily took control which spiked pride in the U.S. Also, they could expand its foreign territories and push Spain furthur away.


7. Dewey’s victory in the _PHILIPPINES_ 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 in Cuba because they were being very patriotic and confident that they could win. They were the typical white Americans whom were proud of their country and the group was just made up of the 'best' in the country which made them very confident.


9. a. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?

Many African-Americans were eager to serve in the war because they saw it as an opportunity to raise their status in the U.S., could win them respect in the community, and help take out the discrimination towards them.


b. What forms of discrimination and prejudice did they encounter?

One was that they were denied promotions to be officer corps and at first were rejected by all but three states for even volunteering to participate in the war. Also, only one of the four all African-American regiments were sent to fight which was the regiment from Massachusetts, and although their bravery was known their uniforms didn't make the discriminations against them any better; they still faced the same 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.

Racism influence perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines by the U.S. believing that they weren't capable of governing themselves. They saw the Spanish as backward and cruel. Also, the U.S. put themselves as superior over everyone else (meaning the African-Americans, Chinese, Cubans, and etcetera)which made their racism overtake their perceptions of these countries.

a. One example is the negotiation over the future of Cuba. The U.S. completely ignored the Cubans saying that since they were black they weren't capable of making their own government, and from the Teller Ammendment they thought that they should occupy them until they have a government and etcetera.

b. Another example is the negotiations over the Philippines. Not many Americans knew what they were like and the newspapers made cartoons of them that made them look like junglemen and the skin of African-Americans; even President Taft called them "little brown brothers" which made the white Americans believe that the Philipinos also couldn't govern themselves but the African-Americans were greatly for them.