• What are the “appropriate” reasons for war?• “I should welcome almost any war, for I think

this country needs one.”– Teddy Roosevelt, 1897

• “This fraud (war in Iraq) will go down in history alongside the Spanish-American War. Saddam’s fictitious weapons will increasingly seem as phony a casus belli as the destruction the Maine in Havana harbor.” – The Washington Post, May 2003

Guantanamera

One of last poems by Jose Marti:

I am a truthful man from this land of palm trees; before dying I want to share these poems of my soul.

My verses are light green, but they are also flaming red.

My poems are a wounded fawn seeking refuge in the forest

I cultivate a rose in June and in January, for the sincere friend who gives me his hand

And for the cruel one who would tear out this heart with which I live.

I do not cultivate thistles nor nettles, I cultivate a white rose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JLCAIJLJ8

Cuban Revolt

• Spanish oppression– “Butcher” Weyler– U.S. sympathy for Cuban underdogs

• Jose Marti

• Big $ for U.S. business

• Location of Cuba in Caribbean

DeLome Letter

War with Spain

• McKinley: “Wobbly Willie”– “white-livered” and “backbone of chocolate

éclair”

• War message to Congress

• Teller Amendment

• George Dewey in Manila Bay

• Emilio Aguinaldo

George Dewey

Emilio Aguinaldo

Oh, dewy was the morning

Upon the first of May,

And Dewey was the Admiral,

Down in Manila Bay,

And dewy were the Spainards’ eyes,

Them orbs of black and blue;

And dew we feel discouraged?

I dew not think we dew!

Written by an amateur poet after George Dewey became an instant national hero

Treaty of Paris

• Guam, Wake and Puerto Rico

• Philippines– $20 million to Spain– McKinley’s “divine guidance”

• “Splendid Little War”

• Summary 8 mins– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU5l4yQCp

MM