theSpanish-American W I N T E R 2 0 1 3

very critical of the people of Cuba and Cuba in general.

Journalists tried to get the attention of Americans by

and America war began. The American people were

Because of yellow journalism, the Spanish

American war.

one of the many contributors in the Spanish-

explosion killed 260 American sailors. This was

of Cuba in order to get into the war. The

blown up the ship on purpose to blame the people

thought the United Sates of America could have

blowing up of the Maine was Cuba’s fault, but others

the coast of Cuba. American people thought that the

The Maine was an American ship that blew up off

war were the blowing up of the Maine, yellow

journalism, and the DeLome Letter.

What caused the Spanish-American war? This all

started back in 1898 on January 25, and three main

things happened to cause the Spanish-American war.

These three things that caused the Spanish-American

War

Events Leading up to the By Amber Rexrode

The De Lôme letter angered the Americans and influenced their part in the war.

The Maine exploded off the coast of Cuba.

2

From Cuba. The rebellion ended in 1901,

when the US captured Aguinaldo. Before the

Journalism, and finally the DeLome letter, Sent

were blowing up of the Maine, yellow

Three causes of the Spanish–American

the president, and it also embarrassed the Spanish government. A couple of days

later, over 200 sailors were killed in the explosion of the Maine.

Finally, Cuba sent a rude letter to America called the De Lôme letter. In the

beginning of the war, president William McKinley was supportive to the people of

Cuba, but then a Spanish minster wrote the United States of America a letter saying

that he thought the president was weak. This letter upset the American people and

Illustrate what they thought was going on Cuba, but not all of it was true.

Opposition to the War

setback during the Spanish-American war.

warmth. Many U.S. troops died from the diseases. The weather conditions were a major

the Spanish had more ammo and soldiers.

The weather conditions were great for the Cubans, but the U.S. soldiers weren’t

used to the warm climate. The U.S. soldiers dressed like they were fighting in the winter,

but they weren’t. Because of that, the U.S. troops were getting really sick and got yellow

fever and other deadly diseases. This was great for the Cubans, who were used to the

weather conditions, the fact that the Americans didn’t know the land, and

during the war. Well, some opposition is the

Spanish-American War? Quite a few were faced

What was some of the opposition during the By Joshua Custer

Mosquitoes such as this one carried yellow fever

3

Lastly, many troops and ammo

are the most important in the war.

Mostly the U.S. brings out more troops

when going to somewhere else, but

many different foreign countries are

mostly on their home turf. The Cubans

have an advantage for having more

ammo and guns because they are in

different places, so they can get it from

where they are. So, it would take some

time to get ammo for the U.S.

Even though there are really good

weather it might be good for the other

country. Also, you always need to know

where you are going because your

enemy might hijack you. Lastly, you

to the war.

advantage. This was another opposition

The U.S. troops didn’t even know where

the Cubans were at or where to go, so

they sometimes were lost in the forest

and got diseases. Many of the Cubans

could have been around watching them

and jump and kill them. But, some U.S.

troops could have learned the land to

see what they could use to their

Maps of Cuba probably would have helped the Americans.

4

Battles of the Spanish-American War

gruesome Civil War, as it caused little casualties to the

United States, and acquired new land for the growing

John Hay said of the Spanish-American war: “It

has been a splendid little war”. Indeed, the Spanish-

American war probably felt like a delight after the

Juan Hill, and the Battle of Santiago Bay.

One of the main battles of the Spanish-American war

American war were the Battle of Manilla Bay, the Battle of San

States. Three of the major, most important battles of the Spanish-

that occurred were mostly all decisive victories for the United

and acquired new land for the growing nation. The few battles

United States,

    Another battle with strong significance was the Battle of San Juan Hill. The battle began when a Spanish

fleet docked in Santiago de Cuba, and was soon blockaded by a superior United States fleet. One month

later, both land and sea forces arrived in Cuba to fight. One of the most important groups to fight was the

Led by George Dewey, seven American ships fought against ten old, out-of-date Spanish ships in the

Philippine Islands. The battle was a decisive victory for the Americans: the fighting lasted from

approximately six A.M until twelve A.M, with no casualties for their side. Dewey seemed to have few

concerns about losing the battle, as his ships were armed with modern weapons and staffed with good,

experienced men; a sharp comparison to Spain’s obviously lowly prioritized ships. The victory at Manila

Bay allowed the United States to eventually occupy Manila, and cleared the way for the Philippines

becoming under American control. The Battle of Manila Bay was an early, strong victory in in the Spanish-

American war, and paved the way for the later triumphs during that war.

One of the main battles of the Spanish-American war was the Battle of Manila Bay.

Bay.

Bay, the Battle of San Juan Hill, and the Battle of Santiago

The Battle of San Juan Hill

The Battle of Manila Bay

5

later, both land and sea forces arrived in Cuba to fight. One of the most important groups to fight was the

“Rough Riders”, a cavalry troop comprised of a variety of different people that was led by Theodore

Roosevelt. The US attempted to capture the villages of San Juan Hill and El Caney. At El Caney, they

faced a small resistance for most of the day, but then advanced towards San Juan Hill. The Spanish began

attacking the United States immediately as the troops devised a plan that involved splitting into two flanks.

On the right flank, the Rough Riders attacked Kettle Hill and made it up first, allowing it to be taken. San

Juan Hill was taken soon after, and they started a siege upon the city the next day.

    The final battle of the Spanish-American War was the Battle of Santiago Bay. When the war began, the

Spanish government sent a fleet of ships to defend Cuba; however, two days later, they found themselves

blockaded by the Americans. The morning of July 3, Admiral Pascual Cervera decided to break out of the

blockade and opened fire on one of the nearby ships. Due to the American’s superior ships, many of the

Spanish fleet were taken down early in the battle. The American Brooklyn took down the Spanish Vizcaya

during an hour-long battle. The Americans suffered only one death during the fight, and only one man was

injured, compared to the 474 casualties suffered by the Spanish, and the loss of all six ships. This battle

caused the Spanish to be effectively cut off from Cuba, basically forcing them to surrender.

    The Spanish-American War was a short, easy war for the Americans to win. Although few battles

occurred, those that did ended with decisive victories for the American troops, with little loss of lives. The

main battles of the war- the Battle of Manila, the Battle of San Juan Hill, and the Battle of Santiago Bay-

all aided in gaining new territories for the United States and fueling its imperialist tendencies at the time.

With the smart strategies and experienced men of the time, the Spanish-American War was an easy war for

the Americans to fight.

Works CitedStuckey, Sterling, Linda Kerrigan. Salvucci, and Judith L. Irvin. "T200he Road to War." Call to Freedom. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2005. 294-95. Print.Chapter / Anthology

 ""Suspended Judgment": A Times Editorial on the Maine Tragedy." "Suspended Judgment": A Times Editorial on the Maine Tragedy. American Social History Project / Center for Media and Learning, 17 Feb. 1898. Web. 13

Opposition

Battles"The Battle of Manila Bay." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d.

Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

"The Battle of San Juan Hill." History.com. A&E Television Networks,

n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

"Spanish-American War: Battle of Santiago De Cuba." About.com

Military History. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

WINTER 2016

Site: PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

Book: Stuckey, Sterling, Linda Kerrigan. Salvucci, and Judith L. Irvin. "War with Spain." Call to Freedom. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2005. 296. Print.

Causes