PRESENTATION OUTLINE
What was it:The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States
What caused it:
1. U.S. support of Cuba's independence from Spain
2. To protect U.S. business interests in Cuba
3. Yellow Journalism which inflamed these emotions for Cuba by disorienting and slanting news from Cuba
4. Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine
Results: Peace was arranged by the Treaty of Paris signed Dec. 10, 1898 (ratified by the U.S. Senate, Feb. 6, 1899). The Spanish Empire was practically dissolved. Cuba was freed, but under U.S. tutelage by terms of the Platt Amendment (see under Platt, Orville), with Spain assuming the Cuban debt. Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the United States as indemnity, and the Philippines were surrendered to the United States for a payment of $20 million. The United States emerged from the war with new international power. In both Latin America and East Asia it had established an imperial foothold. The war tied the United States more closely to the course of events in those areas.
Lasting impact on the region: now that Cuba was free from Spain, men were blue to take over Cuba from the inside and become a communist country. This would of never been able to happen with Spain as it's leader. Now all ties have been cut between Cuba and the US and Cuba is under a strict dictatorship.
