Spanish American War Study Guide #5
1. What were the causes of the Spanish American War (nicknamed a "splendid little war")?
a. Protection of American business interests
(especially sugar plantations). Land and labor
in Cuba was cheaper than in the United States,
so farmers could make a larger profit. If Spain
were to retain control over Cuba, the United
States would lose money and possibly the use of
the land altogether.
b. American support for Cuban rebels' desire for freedom from Spain. Cuba wanted its freedom, and
the United States was willing to help.
c. Rising tensions between Spain and the United States as a result of the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in
Havana Harbor. The United States blamed Spain for the sinking of the ship; investigation years later
proved that the explosion was actually an accident.
d. Exaggerated news reports of events (yellow journalism). Reporters were encouraged by newspaper
editors like William Randolph Hearst to stretch the truth, making the stories “more interesting” to sell
more papers. Hearst famously told one reporter: “You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war”,
meaning that as long as there were pictures, the story could be embellished.
2. What were the results of the Spanish American War?
a. The United States emerged as a world power. The quick victory over another world power earned the
United States respect on the world stage.
b. Cuba gained independence from Spain.
c. The United States gained possession of the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico. These lands became
territories of the United States, and were under U.S. power and control.
3. How did Theodore Roosevelt impact the United States' foreign policy?
a. He expanded the Monroe Doctrine as a way to prevent European involvement in Latin American
countries. Its official name was the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. He believed this
document would help the United States maintain control over the Western Hemisphere.
b. Roosevelt believed that the United States should "speak softly and carry a big stick". He believed
that nations should try to solve differences peacefully, but if that did not work, he thought the United
States should take stronger measures. (This was nicknamed Big Stick Diplomacy.)
c. Roosevelt ensured the building of the Panama Canal using Big Stick Diplomacy. He worked out an
agreement with the newly independent country of Panama; if the United States helped to build the canal,
they could control it. The United States did not give control of the canal back to Panama until 2000.
4. What was the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine?
a. It asserted that the United States had the right to interfere in the economic matters of other nations
in the Americas. Since the United States had money and resources invested in Latin American countries,
they wanted to make sure that those investments were protected.
b. It claimed the United States’ right to exercise international police power over nations in the Western
Hemisphere.
5. Spanish American War Cost/Benefit Analysis
• What incentives did the United States have to go to war with Spain over Cuba?
o Protection of business interests
o Support Cuban rebels’ desire for independence
o Chance of gaining power over the Western Hemisphere
o Chance to avenge the sinking of the Maine (public opinion)
• What were the costs for the United States in going to war with Spain?
o Lives lost
o Time/Energy
o Money/Resources
• What were the consequences (both intended and unintended) for the United States in going to war
with Spain?
o War in the Philippines
o U.S. Image/Larger Role in World Affairs
o Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
o Became a world power
o Development of Empire (Possession of Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines)
o Control of the Western Hemisphere
o U.S. business owners will maintain their interests
o Greater access to the “big prize” (China)
• Which of the above consequences are benefits? Circle them and explain why below.