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Elements of the Situation in Cuba Background to the Crisis Spain, a world power, maintained colonies throughout the world including Cuba. The island nation of Cuba was only 90 miles from U.S. soil. The people of Cuba had tried to free themselves from Spanish rule before, but their first revolution was not successful. The people of Cuba tried once again to win their independence when Jose Marti, a Cuban exile living in New York, started a revolution in Cuba in 1895. Many Americans were sympathetic to Cuban attempts for independence, comparing the Cuban revolution to the American revolution against the British. As the conflict continued, Americans began to wonder if they should try to help the Cubans. The following are “elements” that influenced the foreign policy decision making of the United States.

Directions. Read each of the elements below to learn how American foreign policy toward Cuba was influenced. As you read, highlight or underline key phrases that provide information about what influenced American foreign policy. Record in the space provided the foreign policy objective that most closely connects to each influence.

ELEMENT 1

General Baleriano Weyler was sent to Cuba from Spain to restore order. General Weyler moved the rural population of parts of Cuba into concentration camps where they could not help the rebels. Many citizens died in these camps from hunger and disease. Weyler became known as the “Butcher” in the American press. Possible Foreign Policy Objective

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ELEMENT 2

William Randolph Hearst, publisher of the New York Journal, and Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of the New York World were in a fierce competition to gain readers for their respective newspapers. In an attempt to increase readership, both publishers sent reporters to Cuba to cover the fighting between Spain and Cuba. Hearst’s reporters wrote stories that appealed to the emotions of Americans. They were horrific stories of how the Spanish treated Cubans. The stories were about women prisoners, execution, heroic rebels, and starving women and children. Both publishers emphasized the brutal atrocities committed by the Spanish. Hearst used enormous headlines, colored ink, editorials, and cartoons to beat his rival Pulitzer. The journalists for both papers were ordered to exaggerate the reports of events, including the actions of General Weyler, whom they gave the nickname “Butcher.” When Frederick Remington reported that there was no war in Cuba, Hearst was reported to reply, “You furnish the pictures. I’ll furnish the war.” This form of journalism, which exaggerated events to help sell papers, was called “yellow journalism” or “yellow press.” These stories aroused the sympathy of the American public who wanted to help the Cubans. Possible Foreign Policy Objective

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© 2006 MCPS Social Studies

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ELEMENT 3

President William McKinley ordered the battleship Maine into Havana Harbor in January 1898. The ship exploded in February 1898, killing 288 Americans. Spain was blamed for the explosion. The Hearst newspaper exclaimed “Destruction of the Maine was the Work of an Enemy.” Hearst offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identity of the guilty party. While the President urged caution, Americans were outraged. Possible Foreign Policy Objective

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ELEMENT 4

In 1895 the U.S. had economic interests in Cuba. Some argued that the interests were limited, but others thought these interests were growing. The U.S.– Cuban trade was about $100 million a year and investment was about $50 million. These investments were mostly in sugar and iron, but included tobacco and mining as well. Businessmen wanted to keep their investments and make profits, but they knew the war in Cuba could affect this goal. Cuban rebels used guerrilla war methods to destroy property, especially American sugar plantations. They hoped that these actions would force the United States to help the Cubans overthrow Spain. In addition, Spain interfered with trade between the U.S. and Cuba, sometimes stopping trade altogether. U.S. commercial interests were damaged. Possible Foreign Policy Objective

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ELEMENT 5

The Spanish ambassador DeLome sent a letter to a friend criticizing the American President. He wrote “McKinley [is] weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.” He made other derogatory comments as well. The letter was stolen by a clerk in Cuba who sent it to the Cuban rebels, who in turn sent it to the American press. The letter was published without informing readers that it was a private letter that had been intercepted, not Spanish policy. Opponents of President McKinley in the U.S. may have agreed with the comments in the letter, but this letter was from a Spanish official criticizing the American president. Americans were outraged that their president had been insulted. DeLome resigned, but the damage was done. Possible Foreign Policy Objective

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ELEMENT 6

In 1823 President Monroe stated what became known as the “Monroe Doctrine.” This doctrine expressed the American commitment to the prevention of additional colonization in the Western Hemisphere by European powers. It was also an expression of American commitment to democracy and independence from colonial rule. Possible Foreign Policy Objective

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© 2006 MCPS Social Studies