Causes Of The Spanish American War

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Causes of the Spanish American War

Yellow Journalism
Joseph Pulitzer – The World
Wm. Randolph Hearst – The Journal
These newspapers printed slanted and sensationalized articles about the war to attract readers.

Cubans revolt against Spanish rule in Cuba
Jose Marti – Cuban patriot who wrote newspaper articles about the struggle for freedom.
Lola Rodrigvez ditio – Puerto Rican poet who wrote poems for Puerto Rican Independence.

The U.S. wanted to protect their business interests in Cuba. Entrepreneurs saw natural resources and cheap labor. Expansionists saw new territories to conquer. The Yellow Press influenced decisions made in Washington, and the “jingoistic” attitude of national assertiveness made the plight of the Cubans something to fight for. General “Butcher” Weyler, nicknamed by Hearst’s Journal, was the commander of the Spanish forces in Cuba. He began a policy of “reconcentrado” where Cubans were forced into camps under the notion of being defended from the US. Rather this was done so that Cubans could not aid or join US forces. These people suffered greatly at the Butcher’s hands, and any sympathizers were executed.

The U.S. wanted to enforce/expand the Monroe Doctrine.

The battleship Maine exploded in Havana Harbor.

The DeLome Letter
The NY Journal published a letter from the Spanish Minister to the US, Dupuy de Lome, to Jose Canalejas, a Spanish editor and politician, which contained derogatory references to Pres. McKinley. The public was outraged.

The Teller Amendment
Demanded that Spain relinquish its authority and government in Cuba, and gave the president the authority to use land and navel forces to enforce this resolution....