The Spanish-American War: Origins

One hundred years ago, on February 15, 1898, the USS Maine blew up in Havana (Cuba) harbor, touching off the Spanish-American War.

The Spanish-American War grew out of the conflict for Cuban independence and U.S. imperialist aspirations to gain possessions beyond the continental United States. America was aware of the strategic importance of Cuba and closely watched the Cuban struggle against Spain.

The ever-growing conflict in America's backyard reached a climax when the battleship USS Maine exploded and sank while in Havana's harbor. A furor arose over the attack on the U.S. battleship, exacerbated by sensational stories in the tabloid press. After diplomatic negotiations failed, including efforts from the Pope, the United States declared war on Spain.

The U.S. quickly demonstrated its superior military might, both on land and at sea. The battleship Oregon made a record voyage from Washington's Pacific coast around the tip of South America to the Caribbean and Commander Dewey easily defeated the Spanish in the Philippines. The Rough Riders, led by Theodore Roosevelt, gained notoriety for their impressive, hard-fought victories at San Juan Hill and Santiago in Cuba.

The gallant actions of the Rough Riders helped Roosevelt achieve fame. This fame would assist in his presidential aspirations when he returned from war. The signing of the peace protocol in August 1898 and the Treaty of Paris in December 1898 brought the war to a close. By the end of the war, the U.S. gained key Spanish possessions around the world, including the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and what would later become the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Assign a report of about 200 words, using at least three of the resources found through this pathfinder: Topics tab > Westward Expansion and Imperialism (c. 1865 - 1900) > Spanish-American War.

The report should address at least three of these examples of essential questions for critical thinking (teachers may want to add or substitute their own):

• Why was the USS Maine sent to Havana Harbor?
  
  
• What would motivate the U.S. to pursue a policy of Imperialism?
  
  
• What was the most significant battle of the war? Why?
  
  
• How did the U.S benefit from the possessions it acquired through the war?
  
  
• Why do you think that the Spanish lost the war?
  
  
• What military leaders benefited from their war experiences and why?

Here are some new ProQuest models that students can use for written reports.

PowerPoint reports are a recommended alternative way for students to express their knowledge and reasoned opinion--limit: three minutes. This method provides students with an opportunity to share with their peers. It also provides an opportunity for students to be questioned to validate their research and limit plagiarism--limit of two questions.

It also helps students to develop standards-based language arts presentation skills using Model 1 or Model 2.