Spanish-American War (1898)

Causes: How did each of the following help to cause the outbreak of the Spanish-American War?

1. American business owners
The American business owners wanted to put sugar plantations in Cuba, but the Spanish didn't want them to. So, the U.S always supported Cuba in Spanish Cuban conflicts.
2. José Martí
Started a rebellion in Cuba. During the rebellion he destroyed American plantations to get the U.S involved.
3. Valeriano Weyler
Spanish General that put Cubans in concentration camps so they couldn't aid the rebels.
4. Yellow journalism
A style of reporting where the news is exaggerated and sensationalized to attract readers.
5. De Lôme letter
A letter by the Spanish minister to the U.S that insulted the president, thus angering many citizens.
6. U.S.S. Maine
A ship sent to take U.S citizens back to the U.S from Cuba. However, it blew up in harbor killing over two hundred people. The newspapers said the Spanish did it.

Effects: What happened to each of the following territories as a result of the Spanish-American War?

7. Cuba
Cuba gained its freedom because of the Spanish-American war.
8. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico became a colony of the U.S because of the war.
9. Guam
Guam also became a U.S colony because of the war.
10. Philippine Islands
The Philippine Islands became U.S colony when bought from Spain. People argued over this, but imperialism won over the arguments of those opposed to the U.S annexing the islands.