CFHS AP US History: Feb. 3 Notes: U.S and Spain

Professor Frederick Jackson Turner's Fronteir Thesis

In the 1890s, the U.S. Census announced that the frontier was closed.
Professor Frederick Jackson Turner argued that the frontier was essential to the growth of American economy, and the cultivation of democracy.
By "Closed", we meant that there was no place a person could pick up, leave, and settle down in.
Turner that frontier expansion was what made the U.S. unique and good.
The U.S. looks Abroad
several factors that caused Americans to look overseas were:

Rapid industrial growth
technology advancements; transoceanic cables, and steamship travel
England, Germany, Russia, Japan, and others were also looking outside their lands, and into others.

Some people said we needed to jump into the competition, such as Protestant missionaries, businessmen, and imperialists.

Protestant Missionaries

stated it was Christans duties to teach gospel to the Asian masses
Businessmen wanted to sell to foreign markets
and Industrialists wanted the US to become a world power, and saw economic expansion as a way to do this; they believed in a strong Navy, a canal that connected through the Caribbean for access to western US, control of the Caribbean, and expansion into Asia.
Many took the Social Darwin approach.

Admiral Alfred Thaye Mahan was particularly influential on imperialistic ideas.

wrote The Influence of Seapower on History
Argued that all major power relied on an ability to control seas
called for a larger Navy, a canal across Central America, and naval bases for coal and water throughout the Caribbean.
American Politicians Caught the Bus
From 1880s on there was support for the larger navy.
In 1878, the US secured rights to Pago Pago in Samoa
In 1885 the US leased rights to visit Pearl Harbor
1889, the U.S. est. protectorate over part of Samoa to keep Germany and English out.
In 1891, American sugar plantation owners in Hawaii deposed of the King, and put Queen Liliuokalani into power.
In 1893, Hawaii was declared a U.S. protectorate after Planers overthrew Queen with help of US sailors and Marines.
Jingoism catches on. Jingoists were nationalists who thought a swaggering foreign policy and willingness to go to war would enhance American's Reputation

The Spanish-American War ( April 24- August 12 1898)

In 1895, Cubans revolted against Spain and destroyed much of the island.
Spanish response: forced Cubans into concentration camps
The American Press inflames the US public's opinion against the Spanish by military leader in Cuban calling him "Butcher" Weyler.
William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World kept the US aware.
Both papers tried to outsell one another, leading to what is known as "Yellow Journalism"
When riots broke out in Havana in late 1897, President McKinley ordered a US battleship, USS Maine, to station in Havana to protect US property.
On Feb. 15, 1898, the Maine explodes in the harbor killing 260 sailers
Americans were convinced that it was the Spanish
MUCH LATER, however, investigators proved that it was probably caused by a boiler malfunction aboard the ship
The "Yellow Press" prints screamed " Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!"
So, McKinley issues an order of terms to the Spainish:

Recognized Cuban independence
Called for the withdrawal of all Spanish military personnel from Cuba
Gave the President the power to use the American armed forces to ensure that these conditions were met, and
Asserted that the Cuban government belonged to its own people. Denied any intention of American expansion into Cuba.

Spain agreed with all but the "Recognize Cuban Independence".
On April 11, 1898, President McKinely askes Congress for the Declaration of War, which they approve on the 14 of April.
On April 24, Spain also declares war.
The war was known as "Splendid Little War", because it lasted until August.
Fewer than 500 were killed or wounded
Naval Supremacy is what lead to our victory
A US Navy fleet under Commodore George Dewey routed a Spanish fleet in the Philippines. They massacred the Spanish fleet.
On Land, however, the US was less prepared.
poorly equipped, poorly trained, and poorly fed.
Americans didn't work well with Cubans who, to American's surprise, were predominately black.
Even so, Theodore Roosevelt and his "Rough Riders" earned their reputation
The key role, actually, was a Negro Cavalry in clearing the way for Roosevelt's forces, but the Yellow Press does not mention this
On July 3, the Spanish fleet tried to run from Cuba and the US annihilated them.
Spain's army in Cuba surrendered on July 16, and on July 18, they asked for peace.
Before armistice, we obtained Puerto Rico in the Caribbean, and Guam and Marila in the Phillipines.
Gave up claims in Cuba
Treaty of Paris formally ended the war on Decembr 10, 1898
Spain reluctantly agreed to do so for $20 M dollars

CFHS AP US History