Causes & Effects of the Spanish-American War

AIM: What were the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War?

ACTIVITY 1: DO NOW 

Directions: Answer the questions below.

1	Which countries are involved in this particular conflict? What do they each want?	Answer: The United States is in conflict with Spain and their colonial rule in Cuba. They both want control over Cuba.
2	How did the U.S. attempt to help the revolutionaries? Why do you think they did this?	Answer: The U.S. went to war with the hope to stop the inhumane Spanish colonial rule in Cuba.
3	ASSESSING THE SCENARIO: How will you respond to the sinking of the USS Maine? Do you enter a full-scale war, do you continue to aid the Cuban revolutionaries, or do you exit the conflict altogether? Explain your response.	Answer: As a response to the sinking of the USS Marine I would retaliate with an aggressive and symbolic attack. I would publicly announce war and highlight the fact that we didn’t start fighting. This would be the ideal position publicly and will encourage support.

ACTIVITY 2: POLITICAL CARTOON ANALYSIS

Directions: Analyze the document below and complete the questions that follow.

1	Who is the figure represented in the top hat in the center?	Answer: Uncle Sam
2	Do you think this cartoon will gain support for — or against — a conflict with Spain?	Answer: This cartoon will gain support for a conflict with Spain.
3	Analyze this cartoon to identify two reasons why the U.S. may enter a war with Spain.	Answer: The two reasons to enter a war with Spain are “Free Cuba” and the sinking of the USS Maine.

ACTIVITY 3A: TEXT ANALYSIS

Directions: Analyze the text below and complete the questions that follow.

1	How long has Cuba been ruled by Spain? Why did Cubans suddenly begin to revolt towards the end of the 19th century?	Answer: Cuba was ruled by Spain from the 15th century until 1898 when the U.S. took over the territory. Cuban citizens and businesses were suppressed by their Spanish rule, which is why they started revolting with the hope of joining the U.S.
2	How did Spain try to maintain order and control over its population to prevent them from revolting?	Answer: Spain suppressed their rebellious citizens.
3	Why did the United States support the revolts by Cubans against Spain? How did the United States justify their support for the revolts?	Answer: The United States supported the Cuban revolts to protect citizens and businesses in Cuba and to further their interests. The U.S. justified this with the Monroe Doctrine.
4	How did the United States government respond to the sinking of the USS Maine?	Answer: As a response to the sinking of the USS Maine The U.S. declared war.
5	How did the results of the Spanish-American war turn the United States into an empire? Explain your response.	Answer: By the end of the Spanish-American war the United States got sovereignty over Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

ACTIVITY 3B: PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS

Directions: Analyze the text below and complete the questions that follow.

1	Identify at least two ‘miseries’ President McKinley claims exist in Cuba under Spanish rule.	Answer:  President McKinley claimed that Cubans under Spanish rule were a victim of barbarities, bloodshed, starvation, and more. He also said that Spain was not able to support and protect Cuban citizens, which the U.S. could.
2	Explain what McKinley means when he says, “we owe it to our citizens in Cuba to afford them that protection and indemnity for life and property which no government there can or will afford…”.	Answer: By saying this he meant that it is his duty to take care of the people there.
3	Analyzing the quote in #2, do you think McKinley is suggesting that the United States has an obligation to protect Cubans? Why or why not? Explain.	Answer: I think he is suggesting that the United States is only obligated to protect Americans. This implies that Cubans that agree to join America will receive the protection of the U.S.
4	According to McKinley, how would continued Spanish aggression in Cuba affect American commerce, trade, and business?	Answer: McKinley implied that all commerce, trade, and businesses would suffer from the continued Spanish aggression.
5	According to McKinley, are American trading vessels safe in the Caribbean with Spain in control of Cuba? Use a quote to support your response.	Answer: According to McKinley American vessels are not safe in the Caribbean, as long as it is controlled by Spain. He states that “our trading vessels are liable to seizure and are seized at our very door by warships”.
6	How did the sinking of the USS Maine affect the United States? Do you think this was the final straw — or would the United States have gotten involved in a war against Spain anyway? Explain.	Answer: The sinking of the USS Maine did spark the war, but the U.S. was just waiting for a reason to get into war. Without the sinking, the United States would most likely start a war within a few years, but this way it had public support for retaliation.

ACTIVITY 4: ASSESSMENT

Directions: Choose an option below. Write the answer, post an image of a written answer/drawing, or create a drawing (click insert → drawing → ‘new’) in the space below the option boxes for an assessment grade.

OPTION A	OPTION B
Create a T-chart identifying the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War. Then, explain whether or not the Monroe Doctrine was honored based on your analysis of the T-chart you’ve created.	In a paragraph of 6-8 sentences, answer the AIM: “What were the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War?” Provide at least two pieces of evidence from today’s activities.

ACTIVITY 5 — ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: GUIDED NOTES

Directions: Copy the notes as directed.

What were the CAUSES of the Spanish-American War?	Answer: Yellow journalismUS businesses and tradeThe sinking of the USS MaineMonroe DoctrineHuman rights violations
What were the EFFECTS of the Spanish-American War?	Answer: US Imperialism

ACTIVITY 6 — ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: VIDEO ANALYSIS

Directions: Analyze the video linked below and complete the questions that follow.

LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZMcRzvxTMg 

1	Why did President McKinley send the USS Maine to Cuba?	Answer: The USS Maine was sent to Cuba to protect Americans and American businesses. And in case of an emergency organize an evacuation.
2	What is ‘yellow journalism’? How did it impact the Spanish-American War?	Answer: Yellow journalism had the purpose of encouraging war against Spain, using nonfactual exaggerated newspapers.
3	How did the Spanish-American War lead to conflict in the Philippines?	Answer: The conflict shifted from freeing Cuba from Spanish control to acquiring all Spanish empire territories.
4	Why did the U.S. emerge from the Spanish-American War as an imperial superpower?	Answer: America gained full control over territories.