The Spanish American War

1. What connections did the U.S. have to Cuba in the late 1800s? List at least two.
The connections the US had to Cuba in the late 1800's were A.Sugar Plantations and B.Cuban-American trade


The connections the U.S. had to Cuba in the late 1800's were a. The US could have a naval base there and b.Cuban sugar

2. What were the Spanish “reconcentration camps”?

The Spanish reconcentration camps were Towns that were policed by Spanish troops. The reconentration camps lacked food, housing and sanitation. Disease and starvation took a terrible toll, killing many thousands.



3. List three reasons why the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba.
a. The USS Maine exploded in the Havana harbor killing 260 American sailors

b. The Cubans were destroying the Americans crops

c. They insulted President McKinley


4. Which do you believe was the most important reason? Why?
The most important reason was that the USS Maine explosion resulted in the deaths of 260 American soldiers, and this was the most important because this was seen as a malicious attack on U.S. imperialism abroad.

5. What did the Teller Amendment say?

The Teller Amendment said that the US forces would need to remain as occupiers of Cuba until a stable government could be formed.


6. Why was a portion of the Spanish-American War fought in the Philippines?
Because it surprised the Spanish, was not just a way to gain


7. Dewey’s victory in the _Navy___________________________ sparked an outpouring of _________Pride________ in the United States.



8. Why did Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders want to fight in Cuba?


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

So many African-Americans were eager to serve in the Spanish-American War because they saw it as an opportunity to elevate the status of African-Americans in the United States. They hoped that African-American participation in the fighting would win the African-American community new respect and chip away at the wall of discrimination.


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

The forms of discrimination and prejudice that the African-Americans encountered included that they were denied enlistment priveleges.

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. When Cuban rebels were not included in the negotiations about Cuba's future, because many in the governmental administration felt that the rebels (many of whom were African-American) needed much guidance in managing all of their affairs, and thus thought it in their best interest that they not be given a say.

b. When political cartoons in U.S. newspapers depicted Filipinos as having African features, and that while the Filipino nationalists' cause won support among African-American press, white newspapers made little to no effort to explain the nationalists' position.