U.S. Imperialism Webquest

Today you are going to investigate the Spanish American War.  You will need to hold your mouse over the underlined link, press the control button and the click the mouse at the same time.  This will take you to the web page where you will find your answers.  You will need to read the entire section before answering.  Make sure you answer each part of the questions in full.  Answer each of the following questions on a sheet of paper.  You must write the question and the answer.

1.   Describe the reward offered for the "detection of the Perpetrator of the Maine Outrage."    (How much, and who posted it?)
  50,000 william randolph hearst





2.   Explore the Headline Gallery and select one of the samples. Write down the headline. Explain how this might have inflamed American passions for war.

  Call to Duty
Made the war sound like it was already won by the US due to the plained attacks and number of troops


3.   How effective was the Dynamite Gun used in the Spanish American War?  (Describe briefly how well it worked.)
  The gun broke every few shots and therefore was not very effective



4.   Who is called the "father of Yellow Journalism" , and why was he called this?
  Hearst, because he was said to have pushed the war with his articles.


5.    Private Manning , a member of the 33rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry, was the first soldier of the war to have what?
    Amputation in the cuba war.

6.   In April 1898 Senator Henry M. Teller (Colorado) proposed an amendment to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain.  What did this amendment say?

  The us would not have permanent control over cuba.


7.   Who commanded the "Rough Riders", and what was this unit's official name?
  Theodore Roosevelt. First U.S Volunteer Calvalry


8.   John Hay, Secretary of State, wrote a letter to Theodore Roosevelt describing the Spanish-American war as…
as a splendid war


9.   What disease caused more American casualties in Cuba than the Spanish bullets?  Who led the battle against it, and what were the symptoms? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/fever/peopleevents/e_cuba.html
  yellow fever.
  General Nelson.
Stage 1 (infection): Headache, muscle and joint aches, fever, flushing, loss of appetite, vomiting, and jaundice are common. ...
Stage 2 (remission): Fever and other symptoms go away. ...
Stage 3 (intoxication): Problems with many organs may occur, including the heart, liver, and kidney.


10.  When the United States refused to give the Philippines their independence, who led the Filipino forces in opposition to the U.S. ?  What kind of war was it? (Scroll down to RENEWED CONFLICT IN THE PHILIPPINES) http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/trask.html
Emilo Aguinaldo
Could not find description of the war or “Renewed conflict”


11.    Who was Alfred Thayer Mahan?  What did he recommend with regard to the U.S. military?

Expand the navey to control the Pacific




12. Explain the Boxer Rebellion.
Uprising to attempt to push out foreigners and strike a coup eventually.

13.    What was the name of the policy of economic expansion which was introduced by President William Howard Taft? Dollar diplomacy
thanks for giving it to us ^






14. According to historians, what were the roots of the Philippine Revolution?
Building of the suez canal. Gave european influence







15. McKinley begins to be called upon by people, such as William Randolph Hearst, to do something about the atrocities occurring in Cuba.  What is McKinley's response?

He attempted democratic methods but ended up asking to intervene.




16. Why did Roosevelt say, "I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one."
He believed that young people needed to test themselves
Section 2: Essay Questions
 Choose one of the following questions and answer it in an essay of no less than 100 words.
1. What were some of the methods by which the United States expanded its economic and political influence around the world in the late 1800s and early 1900s? How did economic interests sometimes lead to military action? Cite specific examples -- such as Japan, Hawaii, Cuba, the Philippines, China, Panama, and/or Nicaragua -- in your answer.
	The United States attempted to expand it's political and economic influence and power around the world by many means. When countries affected by such attempts reacted it often came down to miltiary action.
	When the US gained the Philippines after the Spanish-American war they used the Philipines as a foot hold into china which was already being divided among other countries. The islands were obtained by forcing Spain to give them to the US for a very small price and calling it a “Gift from the gods” due to referring to the natives as uneducated primal human beings unable to have a self government. The United States harnessed the resources of the Philippines to expand and reinforce their market. This eventually led to the Philippine-US war. The war was fought over the political policies inacted on the natives and due to the economic decisions made by the US regarding the islands.

2. Why did the American consul in Cuba, Fitzhugh Lee, ask to have a battleship sent to Havana harbor? What was the Cubans' perception of the Maine 's presence? Do you think the United States had a right to station a battleship in the harbor? How might the Spanish-American War have been avoided through better communication and sensitivity on all sides?

The Maine was sent to Havan to protect American interests and Americans. The Cubans saw the Maine as an attempt by the Americans to intimidate Cubans. The United states should not have been able to station a battleship in a harbor without permission of the country or without a viable reason or worry. The Spanish-American war could have been avoided had the American Navy asked and or delcared the reason for the ship's station before or during the process of moving the ship. The country who destroyed the Maine could have requested the ship be moved before destroying the ship.

3. What is the meaning of Teddy Roosevelt's motto "Speak softly, and carry a big stick" in regard to foreign policy? How did he implement this policy during his presidency? What do you think of the policy? Is it effective? Is it right?
The policy described Teddy's method of negotiating peace. Teddy suggested negotiating with peace gently, but backing the treaty with threat of military action without saying such. He implemented this policy whenever he attempted to recover relations with countries that had reacted poorly to the attempted expansion of United States influence economically and politically. I personally believe the policy to be a wonderful policy. The policy is very effective as the treaties that result can be taken at face value and kind and generous whenever they may be forced and stressed under the surface. The policy may not be morally straight but rarely is peace and war morally straight.