Question

What events led to the Spanish American War? What helped to enrage the American people?

Answer 1

The Spanish-American War was caused by a combination of factors, including the Cuban struggle for independence, the sinking of the USS Maine, yellow journalism, and public opinion. The United States sent troops and emerged victorious, gaining Cuba's independence and acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The Platt Amendment granted the United States rights to intervene in Cuban affairs, while the Teller Amendment promised non-annexation of Cuba.

Step-by-step explanation:

Causes of the Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War was caused by a combination of factors. The main events that led to the war were:

1. The Cuban struggle for independence: The Cuban people had been fighting for independence from Spanish rule, and their fight gained sympathy and support from many Americans.
2. The sinking of the USS Maine: The USS Maine, an American battleship, exploded and sank in Havana Harbor. While the cause of the explosion is still unknown, it was blamed on Spain by the American media and public.
3. Yellow journalism: Newspapers in the United States, known as yellow journalism, exaggerated stories and published sensationalized headlines that portrayed Spain as cruel and oppressive in its treatment of the Cuban people.
4. Public opinion: The exaggerated stories in the media, coupled with the sinking of the USS Maine, enraged the American people and created a strong anti-Spanish sentiment.

American Involvement and Outcome

The United States sent troops to fight in the war, and the conflict lasted for approximately ten weeks. The United States emerged victorious, and as a result, Spain granted Cuban independence and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

Platt and Teller Amendments

The Platt Amendment was an addition to the Cuban constitution that granted the United States certain rights to intervene in Cuban affairs and maintain military bases on the island. The Teller Amendment, on the other hand, promised that the United States would not annex Cuba and that it would leave the Cuban people in control of their own government.