1. The Monroe Doctrine and
Rising Tensions with Spain

2. America and Empires: The Early Days!
 America fought a long and costly war for
independence from English domination. Thirty
years later, we once again for an English force.
 These victories inspired numerous Latin American
countries to fight for and eventually gain their own
freedom.
 But Britain, France, and Spain weren’t willing to just
turn and walk away. So what happened?

3. James Monroe
 James Monroe was our fifth
president.
 He helped pave the way for many
American slaves to be freed and
return to their native Africa.
 He also, though, wanted to
promote a great America.
The Monroe doctrine, announced in 1823, stated
that the free countries in the American hemisphere
were permanently free from Europe. If need be, we
would help them fight to stay free.

4. Once upon a time in Cuba
 The biggest threat to the
Monroe Doctrine came in
Cuba in the later half of the
19th century (1800s)
 Cuba was fighting for its
independence from Spain
 It began a little later than
most of Latin
 It’s war began in 1868,
lasted ten years, and was
unsuccessful.
 Does anyone know why we
wouldn’t get involved right
away?

5. But finally…..
 By the 1890s, though,
America was a stronger
country and many
American businesses
were in Cuba.
 Jose Marti, a Cuban
leader, launched a new
war for independence,
hoping to get America’s
help.

6. Leading to….
 The Spanish-American War was caused in 1898
when the U.S. assisted Cuba in their fight for
independence, claiming the Monroe Doctrine as
reason enough.

7. The Powder Keg
 President McKinley sent
the USS Maine to
Havana Harbor to
protect American
businesses in Cuba.
 It exploded under
mysterious
circumstances.
 We blamed Spain and
declared war.

8. YELLOW JOURNALISM
 American newspapers
were thrilled. By this
point, people realized war
led to people reading
(today, watching) the
news!
 Each newspaper came up
with the most sensational
news stories of evil
Spanish actions.
 This system of making up
the news instead of just
reporting it is called
“Yellow Journalism”