OBJECTIVE

This lesson will provide you with an opportunity to examine America’s role in the Spanish-American War and how the successes of the war made the United States a major player in world affairs.

Wreckage of the USS Maine

GUIDING QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think the United States wanted to expand into South American and the South Pacific?
2. Do you think the United States was prepared for war when the Span-Am war broke out and why Spain?
3. Does the media play a role in wars?  What do you think “Yellow Journalism” is and what was its role in the Spanish-American war?
4. Wars can sometimes be good for a country.  How do you think the Spanish-American War was “good” for the United States?
    

DISCUSSION

            If you want to find out how tough you are do you pick a fight with the biggest kid on the block?  That is one approach but you may find out very quickly exactly what you didn’t want to know.  You also don’t want to make enemies of people who have that much muscle.  Prudence would dictate that you work your way up to that!

            By the end of the 19^th Century America wants to know exactly where it stands.  The United States is also very interested in building and empire that would rival that of England, France and Germany.  But where to start?  Once again prudence would dictate that you start small.  But you can’t just go picking a fight can you?

Assignment 3.01 - America's Fine Little War

A.     For this assignment you will be assigned a person from the Spanish-American War.

Refer to the first letter of your last name to determine what role you will assume:

• A-D – Parent of a Soldier fighting in the Spanish-American War
• E-H – American Soldier
• I-L – Filipino citizen
• M-Q – Journalist reporting on the war
• R-U – American Politician
• V-Z – American Businessman

Use the following web site to gain information that will help you better understand the person you have been assigned.  One helpful feature is to use the “search” box at the bottom of the homepage, as it will allow you to search only the pages contained in this particular site.  There is plenty of information on this one site alone to provide you with the background you need.

http://www.spanamwar.com/

Answer the following questions in a Word document.  Each response should be 3-5 sentences long.  Make sure to use information from the web site above to support your response.  Remember to answer from the perspective of the person you are representing!

1. Do you want the United States to go to war with Spain?  Why or why not?
2. What will your role be if a war between Spain and America does break out?
3. Whose side would you support in the war if it were to happen?  Why?
4. Who do you want to win the conflict?  What do you stand to gain if the side you support wins?  What do you stand to lose if the side you support losses?
5. Would you like to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict that is brewing?  If so how do you propose it be resolved?

B.     When you have completed your answers go to the Assignment Area and click on “View/Complete Assignment” for 3.01 – American’s Fine Little War.  Attach your Word document and click submit.

C.     HJ3.1 – US Imperialism

During the mid to late 1800’s many nations around the world raced to build empires by territorializing other countries.  In some cases those being controlled welcomed the support of the other nation.  In some cases they did not.  Not wanting to be left out the United States began to Imperialize.  During the time period of the Spanish-American War the United States greatly expanded her territorial empire.  The nations that fell under American control from 1895-1905 include Guam, the Philippine Islands, the Hawaiian Islands, Midway Island, Puerto Rico, and the Panama Canal Zone, just to name a few. 

For HJ3.1 – US Imperialism start by COPING the cartoon above and PASTING it into your History Journal.  Next answer the following questions in reference to the cartoon (remember to include the questions in your journal and your response).

o       Who is the waiter supposed to represent?

o       The diner is “Uncle Sam”.  What is he trying to decide?

o       Three of the items on the “menu” are Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippine Islands.  Briefly tell why the United States might be interested in each of those locations (2-3 sentences).

If you were a Cuban, Filipino or Puerto Rican, what would be the advantages and disadvantages to being controlled by the United States (list two advantages and two disadvantages).