The Spanish American War
by Josh Roedner
New York World paper and New York Journal of events in Cuba
I feel the reports by the New York World an New York journal may have helped Cuba with getting independence. The truth was made bigger than it really was. The use of reconcentration camps was very bad. The Tens of thousands of Cubans were overcrowded and they were unsanitary. They had little food and some died from starvation.
Publication of the de Lôme letter and the explosion of the USS Maine
The publication of the de Lome letter was that he was saying that president McKinley was weak and catering to rabble and , besides an low politician. Americans were very offended and the damage was done. The sinking of the battleship USS Main killed more than 260 sailors and the newspapers immediately blamed Spain. US President McKinley called for an armistice until peace could be discussed. On April 25, congress formally declared war on Spain.
Battles taking place in Cuba
US set blockade of Havana and the north coast of Cuba. A spanish squadron slipped into the harbor at Santiago de cuba. Roosevelt and Wood formed the first US volunteer cavalry known as the rough riders. The rough riders charged up kettle hill and other US forces fought the battle for san juan hill. The rest of the war went quickly. About 5,500 Americans died in the war, mostly from tropical diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
Clashing Views
While Mckinley raises the American flag in the Philippines Bryan chops it down while Uncle Sam watches. An organization formed during the war to oppose the establishment of US colonies called Anti imperialist League. The Platt amendment allowed the US to intervene in Cuban affairs and to buy or lease land for naval bases.