Users' questions. Esther Fleming February 3, Table of Contents. Previous Article What counties in Wisconsin have reformulated gas? Next Article What is an interesting fact about Kabul? Back To Top. Americans saw the letter as an attack on both McKinley's and the nation's honor. The public's anger only intensified following an explosion on the Maine and its sinking on February 15, , in Havana Harbor, killing crew members. McKinley ordered an investigation of the Maine explosion even while some Americans cried, "Remember the Maine!
To Hell with Spain! As Spain and the United States searched earnestly and unsuccessfully for a diplomatic solution, the Navy, on March 21, reported that an external explosion, presumably from a Spanish mine, had destroyed the ship. With his diplomatic initiatives exhausted and the American public wanting an end to the Cuban crisis, McKinley, in mid-April, asked Congress for authority to intervene in Cuba, which it granted.
Congress added the Teller amendment to its declaration of war, committing the United States to the independence of Cuba once the war had ended, disclaiming "any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over said island, except for the pacification thereof.
After the declarations of war, events moved quickly and decisively in America's favor. McKinley pushed through a joint resolution of Congress annexing the Hawaiian Islands. In Cuba, U. The U. Spain sued for peace, and a cease-fire was declared on August One day later, Commodore Dewey's forces completed their campaign against the Spanish in the Philippines by taking Manila.
During the fighting, McKinley operated a war room from the White House, complete with detailed maps and a battery of telephones through which he kept in constant contact with his generals in the field.
The war had lasted just over three months, and the Americans killed in action numbered less than , although many more had died from malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases. The Paris Peace Treaty was signed on December 10, Spain also renounced its claim to Cuba, which remained under U. Thereafter, Cuba would be a U.
Congress took nearly two months to ratify the treaty, but did so—securing the necessary two-thirds majority by a single vote—on February 6, Despite the heated debates and protests of congressional lawmakers, McKinley was able to secure the treaty's approval and to convince the House to appropriate funds for implementing and building the American empire.
In demonstrating his political influence on the outcome of these matters, McKinley became the undisputed leader of the Republican Party. Furthermore, his actions represented a real expansion of presidential power at the turn of the century.
Under McKinley's leadership, the United States had become one of the world's colonial powers. Almost as soon as the war with Spain had ended, a grassroots insurgency broke out in the Philippines led by Filipino nationalist Emilio Aguinaldo. McKinley responded by sending thousands of American marines and sailors to the islands. This action engaged the nationalists in a bloody war that left the United States open to atrocity charges similar to those lodged against Spain in its dealings with Cuba and the reconcentration camps.
The war lasted until , and before it was over, it claimed the lives of more than 5, Americans and some , Filipinos. American interests in Asia were not limited to the Philippines. The National Archives brings one of the largest collections of military records and documents from the Spanish American War and the Philippine-American conflict. New York Times Historical.
ProQuest Congressional. Digital Public Library of America. America's Historical Newspapers. American Periodicals Series. If students need assistance with primary source documents, the following reputable websites may be useful:. National Archives, Teaching with Documents. Or you can click here to watch in a separate window.
Archival Footage from the Library of Congress. Many of these cartoons were used by newspapers to sell more editions and to win sympathy for the war effort. Audio Recordings from - Library of Congress. It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older.
This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. Books, articles and audiovisual formats will help you better understand the war that changed American foreign policy.
0コメント