The Spanish–American War - AP U.S. History

1. How long did the Spanish-American War last?

   Approximately 10 weeks. Brief conflict lasted from April to August 1898.

2. What is the significance of the Teller Amendment?

   Promised Cuban independence after the war. Prevented U.S. annexation of Cuba after victory.

3. What was the initial U.S. military strategy in the Caribbean?

   Blockade of Cuban ports. Naval strategy aimed to isolate Spanish forces completely.

4. Which event led to the U.S. declaring war on Spain?

   Sinking of the USS Maine. February 15, 1898 explosion prompted congressional war declaration.

5. Which event marked the end of major hostilities in the war?

   Fall of Manila. August 13, 1898 surrender ended major combat operations.

6. Which battle is the Rough Riders famously associated with?

   Battle of San Juan Hill. Roosevelt's charge made him a national war hero.

7. Which disease significantly affected U.S. troops during the war?

   Yellow fever. Tropical disease caused more casualties than combat wounds.

8. Which treaty ended the Spanish-American War?

   Treaty of Paris (1898). Formal peace agreement signed December 10, 1898.

9. What was the outcome of the Battle of Santiago de Cuba?

   Decisive U.S. naval victory. Spanish Caribbean fleet destroyed, ensuring American victory.

10. Identify the primary naval base established in Cuba post-war.

    Guantanamo Bay. Strategic naval facility secured under Platt Amendment.

11. Identify the main cause of the Spanish-American War.

    Explosion of the USS Maine. Mysterious explosion in Havana Harbor provided war justification.

12. What was the cost of the Philippines to the U.S. under the Treaty of Paris?

    $20 million. Payment compensated Spain for loss of Philippine Islands.

13. What was the role of the Rough Riders in the war?

    Volunteer cavalry led by Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt's unit became famous for Cuban campaign heroics.

14. Who was the U.S. Secretary of State during the Spanish-American War?

    John Hay. Negotiated Open Door Policy and peace treaty terms.

15. Which group in the U.S. pushed for war with Spain?

    Jingoists. Aggressive nationalists demanded war against Spain immediately.

16. Which naval battle marked a decisive victory for the U.S. in the Pacific?

    Battle of Manila Bay. Dewey's fleet destroyed Spanish squadron completely.

17. What was the primary economic interest of the U.S. in Cuba?

    Sugar industry. American businesses sought to protect Cuban sugar investments.

18. Which territories did the U.S. gain from Spain after the war?

    Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines. Spain ceded these Pacific and Caribbean territories to U.S.

19. What was the role of the Anti-Imperialist League?

    Oppose U.S. annexation of the Philippines. Anti-imperialists viewed Filipino acquisition as unconstitutional expansion.

20. Identify the amendment that stipulated U.S. conditions for Cuban independence.

    Platt Amendment. Gave U.S. right to intervene in Cuban affairs.

21. How did the war influence U.S. military strategy?

    Emphasized naval power. Demonstrated importance of modern naval forces for expansion.

22. What was the significance of the USS Maine's explosion?

    Catalyst for U.S. entry into war. "Remember the Maine" became rallying cry for war.

23. Who commanded the U.S. Navy's Asiatic Squadron during the war?

    Commodore George Dewey. Led decisive victory that secured Philippines for U.S.

24. What year did the Spanish-American War begin?

    1898. War began following USS Maine explosion in Havana Harbor.

25. Which island did the U.S. also annex during the war, apart from Spanish territories?

    Hawaii. Strategic Pacific base annexed during wartime expansion.

26. Identify the term for exaggerated news stories to sway public opinion.

    Yellow journalism. Sensational reporting style that prioritized drama over facts.

27. What was the outcome for Cuba after the Spanish-American War?

    Became a U.S. protectorate. Independence limited by Platt Amendment restrictions.

28. How did the war affect U.S. foreign policy?

    Marked emergence as a world power. Transformed America into global imperial power overnight.

29. What was the role of Emilio Aguinaldo during the conflict?

    Philippine revolutionary leader. Initially allied with U.S. against Spanish colonial rule.

30. Which journalist's work was influential in sparking the war?

    William Randolph Hearst. His sensational reporting helped manufacture war fever.

31. What was the use of the term 'Splendid Little War' referring to?

    John Hay's description of the war. Secretary Hay's phrase emphasized war's brief duration.

32. What was the effect of the Spanish-American War on Spain's empire?

    Dismantled Spanish colonial empire. Lost most remaining overseas territories to United States.

33. Which U.S. President was in office during the Spanish-American War?

    William McKinley. Led nation into its first overseas imperial war.

34. Which city hosted the peace negotiations for the war's end?

    Paris. Site of final peace negotiations ending the war.

35. What was the impact of yellow journalism on the war?

    Increased public support for the war. Sensational headlines inflamed anti-Spanish sentiment nationwide.

36. How did the war affect U.S.-Latin American relations?

    Increased U.S. influence in the region. Established U.S. as dominant hemispheric power permanently.

Study these flashcards