Spanish+American+War

=During the late 1800s, the United States was growing and expanding it's power. Soon it would become known as a Superpower among other countries.=

**Imperialism**- When one nation gains control over another through military takeover or economic control.
===During this time, Americans wanted to build national strength from within and become self-sufficient. The United States was an economic machine by 1890 which carried a lot of influence around the world.=== Check out the political cartoons below and discuss how they represent the concept of American Imperialism.

=Manifest Destiny= This belief felt by many Americans that the country had an obligation to grow and expand their territory due to the fact that American culture and beliefs were superior to other countries. The images reflects Westward Expansion which brought settlers out west and in turn forced the current dwellers of the land Native Americans off the land to control the land and fulfill the destiny of the country.

Along with the expansion of the Continental United States, our country beyond our physical boundaries to gain territories that have resources value to the country.
Smaller islands near the United States were causing problems and needed attention to gain independence from European countries that were trying to control them. One island that grabbed the biggest attention was Cuba. Cuba is a small island located 90 miles south of Florida.

February 1895 **Cuba fights for independence from Spain.** As Cuba struggles to win its freedom from Spain, American newspapers publish sensational stories about the Spain's brutality toward the Cubans. Some Americans begin to call for the U.S. to get involved in the fight.

The U.S. decides to help by sending a naval ship. U.S.S. Maine. The ship explodes near Cuba and sets the chain of events in motion for war against Spain.media type="file" key="Spanish American War & Imperialism.mp4" width="300" height="300" February 15, 1898 **The U.S.S. Maine is sunk off the coast of Havana.** The battleship the U.S.S. Maine explodes and sinks in a Havana harbor. The cause was not known, but many blame Spain.

After the ship sunk, newspapers stirred the pot to get the U.S. involved in the conflict between Cuba and Spain through the use of **Yellow Journalism.** Check out the article below to learn more about it. media type="file" key="Yellow Journalism & Spanish American War.mp4" width="300" height="300" https://sites.google.com/site/durgeesebast/step-2GONE

Phrases like the one below caused many people to want the U.S. to do something about the Spanish occupation of Cuba.

**"Remember the Maine!"**
April 11, 1898 **President McKinley reluctantly asks Congress to declare war on Spain.** Even though McKinley hoped to avoid war, he asks Congress to declare war on Spain. McKinley is pressured by American newspapers that call him a weak president for not standing up to Spain.

Check out the video clip to learn more about the causes and outcomes of the Spanish American War. http://www.history.com/topics/spanish-american-war/videos#roosevelt-fights-in-spanish-american-war

One group that stood out during this short war were the Rough Riders. Check out the website below to learn more about this group of soldiers and their involvement in the war. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/progress/jb_progress_rriders_2.html ==

One Rough Rider that stuck out during this time was Theodore Roosevelt. Later his involvement in the war along with other events and activities would lead him to the White House and become president.