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By and large, though, the people who had fought two wars for their freedom had no desire to go to battle for any lesser cause. The 1890s brought other questions for Americans, however. What about someone else's freedom? Was the U.S. willing to go to war for someone else's just cause? Expansionism became a more popular idea as the 1800s drew to a close. In defending the great ideal of freedom, America might add to its territory. Wouldn't that be a just reward? The U.S. had absorbed its wilderness. There was no more new land waiting to be settled. Surely there would always be a need for more land and resources to supply a growing population. Could there, after all, be some reason besides self-defense to go to war? The gathering clouds of war caused a scramble among American military leaders. The U.S. was proud of its navy. It had played a vital part in past military victories. Recently, it had been overhauled and enlarged. In the years since the Civil War, however, ground forces had been cut back. Money had not been allotted to keep the army up to date. Know-how was in short supply as well. Most War Department jobs had been handed out on the buddy system. In many ways, America wasn't ready to fight a war. Isolation vs. Expansion - Background of America's War with Spain
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1. Explain some of the changes America had gone through in the hundred years between her independence and the coming of the 1900s.
3. How did the War of 1812 contribute to America's desire for isolation?
4. The Monroe Doctrine was a statement directed at ______. A. Britain B. The European nations C. Spain D. Congressmen who came to Washington not knowing how government worked. 5. True or false. The Monroe Doctrine was the basis for U.S. troops being sent to the U.S./Mexico border after the Civil War. A. False B. True
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6. Expansionists thought the U.S. should go to war with Spain mainly because ______. A. They had a deep desire to see the Cuban people freed. B. They were afraid Spain might attack the U.S. and take its property. C. They thought the U.S. should look for new land. D. It would help American business. 7. Why did the threat of war cause U.S. military leaders concern in 1898?
8. In your opinion, what result would be likely if military leaders got their jobs as a political payback instead of for their knowledge and experience?
Imagine you are living in the mid-1700s, before the American Revolution. You live in a colony. Your home country is actually a European nation far across the sea. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of living in a colony?
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the event, however, another group stole the limelight. Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders had also fought in the battle. The well-known group's exploits were highlighted. The role of the Buffalo Soldiers was barely mentioned. A week later came the key battle at San Juan Hill. Here, U.S. troops fought their way uphill against an enemy barricaded at the top. Spanish bullets rained down on the Americans. Black soldiers fought just as fiercely as the other U.S. units. At one point, the Rough Riders were pinned down by enemy fire. Bullets were zinging in from all sides. Charging into the relentless gunfire, the 10th Cavalry came running to the rescue. "If it hadn't been for the black cavalry, the Rough Riders would have been exterminated," one of Roosevelt's men exclaimed. Some accounts placed black troops first at the top of San Juan Hill, though that honor was later claimed by other units. Military officialdom recognized the valor of the black troops. The Medal of Honor was awarded to five men of the 10th Cavalry. Certificates of Merit were given to another 21. Later, the 25th infantry unit confronted a more subtle enemy. The troops were sent to render aid to a hospital full of yellow fever victims. Eight white regiments had bowed out of the job. Of 35 remaining members of the 25th, 19 became ill. Still, the black soldiers carried out their duties, even staying on as part of the occupation force after the war's end. For a few shining moments, the victory over Spain seemed to mellow old mind-sets. The black soldiers were called heroes along with all the others. "The services of no four white regiments can be compared with those rendered by the four colored [units]," wrote a reporter. "They were at the front at Las Guasimas, at El Caney and at San Juan, and what was the severest test of all...in the yellow fever hospitals." The praise was short-lived, however. In fact, the treatment of black soldiers worsened after the war ended. By the turn of the century, it was decided that the usefulness of "colored" troops was limited. They were totally dependent, the military claimed, on the leadership of white officers. Gradually, the status of black army units was downgraded. They were channeled into service jobs and menial labor. In 1948, President Harry Truman would issue an executive order ending racism in the U.S. Armed Forces. Until then, it would be a long, uphill fight for black soldiers. At War with Bigotry - Buffalo Soldiers in the Spanish American War
Questions
1. The 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiments were formed from ______ after the Civil War. A. Hundreds of homeless, destitute freed slaves B. Loyal black men who had stayed in the South to support the Confederacy C. The remnants of U.S. Colored Troops units which had fought for the Union D. Displaced plantation owners 2. Describe the duties of black cavalry and infantry units in the American West from 1866 to the early 1890s.
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3. List three reasons U.S. Army officials called upon the Buffalo Soldiers to go to Cuba.
4. Explain the irony involved in the Spanish American War that embittered some black people.
5. Black troops were uncomfortable in the Tampa staging area because: A. They were subjected to racial prejudice. B. There weren't enough facilities or food for everyone. C. They knew they would soon be facing death in the war. D. They were used to a cooler climate. 6. One reason black troops in the Spanish American War didn't get proper recognition was ______. A. Most people focused on Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders and forgot about the contributions of black soldiers. B. They hated to have their pictures taken and/or to speak to reporters. C. Their best efforts couldn't keep Spain from winning the war. D. They proved to be lazy and cowardly in confronting Spanish troops. 7. The 25th U.S. Infantry performed an important task in Cuba besides fighting the Spanish. What was it? A. Hauling fresh water for Cuban communities B. Keeping the Cubans from taking revenge on the Spanish residents C. Hunting wild boar D. Helping in a hospital overrun by yellow fever victims 8. In your opinion, what caused whites to treat black soldiers so badly even though the soldiers had risked their lives for their country?
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A naval inquiry concluded that the explosion was caused by a mine. The navy panel couldn't pin the guilt on any one group. Spain, however, controlled the harbor. If agents of that nation hadn't planted the mine, it was said, they had allowed it to be planted by someone else. U.S. newspapers screamed for war with Spain. The public agreed. Later, "Remember the Maine!" would be a battle cry for rallying U.S. soldiers. (Actually, a hundred years and four investigations later, it has yet to be proven what happened to the Maine. Some people have insisted the blast was an accident, while most agree with the navy's findings about a mine. Who planted the mine is still as much a mystery as it was in 1898. Some experts argue that the Cubans had more to gain by planting the mine than the Spanish. After all, the explosion was sure to bring the U.S. into the conflict on the side of the rebels.) In April, President McKinley asked Congress to send U.S. troops to Cuba. Congress agreed. They passed a resolution declaring Cuba a free nation. Spain must leave Cuba, they said, and the U.S. military would do whatever it took to chase them out. Congress also vowed that the U.S. had no intention of placing any claim on Cuba after Spain was ousted. These provisions had been formulated by Senator Teller of Colorado. They were passed as the Teller Amendment. The U.S. was at war. Remember the Maine! - Causes of America's War with Spain
Questions
1. Describe the state of the Spanish Empire in 1898.
2. Explain the origins of the conflict in Cuba. Who was fighting? Why?
3. The Spanish army forced Cubans into concentration camps in the cities because: A. They wanted the Cubans to have better educational opportunities. B. The population of the cities was falling and they needed workers. C. People living in rural areas had been giving refuge and supplies to rebels. D. Disease was a constant danger in the rural areas. 4. True or false. In 1898, Americans were ill-informed about events in Cuba because U.S. newspapers refused to print the stories of violence and injustice. A. True B. False 5. What was the meaning of the cry, "Remember the Maine!"?
Name Thursday, January 26 6. List the three theories about what happened to the Maine.
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7. The Teller Amendment: A. Urged Spain to negotiate with Cuba for fair treatment of the colony B. Declared Cuba a free country and committed U.S. forces to forcing Spain out. C. Declared that the U.S. would invade Spain. D. Insisted on reparations from Spain to compensate for the Maine 8. In your opinion, what was the most compelling reason the U.S. went to war with Spain? Was it a valid reason? Why or why not?
Describe the government and culture of Cuba today. What signs are there of the fact that the country was once a colony of Spain?
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The trials pointed out some drawbacks. The main problem was the skittish nature of kites. Their flights vary with air currents and wind speed. In the end, kites were used only for scouting. They carried cameras into the sky to snap pictures. The snapshots helped in planning battles. Reporters also used them in news stories. Another big story was medicine. Over 5000 men died of illness in the war. That was ten times as many as were killed in combat. The soldiers died of yellow fever or malaria. Walter Reed led a team of military doctors in Cuba. The team found the diseases were spread by mosquitoes. To stop them, the doctors had all standing water covered with oil. Even drinking water had to be topped by a layer of oil. The oil killed mosquito larvae. Buildings were sealed and fumigated to kill the insects. By 1901, fewer than 20 people in Cuba died of yellow fever. Walter Reed Army Medical Center was named for the dedicated leader of the team. The mix of old and new ideas in the war with Spain ushered in a new era. It marked the beginning of modern warfare. From that time till now, technology has played a major part in wars. In the U.S., the turn of the century brought a flood of new ideas. The nation emerged from the 1800s as a new world power. Kites and Balloons Go to War
Questions
1. Explain the word "technology."
2. Give examples of 1898 technology in communications, travel, and weapons of war. Beside each, list the technology of today that replaced it.
3. Moving pictures of 1898 were very low quality compared to today's movies. In spite of this, they were a powerful medium. Why might this have been true?
4. The technology of the U.S. Navy at the start of the war was ______ compared to that available to ground troops. A. Outdated B. About the same C. Unknown D. More up to date
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5. The main advantage of smokeless bullets was: A. They were more accurate. B. Soldiers weren't exposed to the health hazard of smoke. C. They were lighter to carry. D. When they were fired, there was no smoke to give away soldiers' positions. 6. A hot air balloon was used for ______ in the Spanish American War. A. Carrying men behind enemy lines B. Scouting C. Rescuing soldiers trapped on a hilltop D. Giving the enemy a false idea of where U.S. troops were located 7. Explain how kites have been used in wars. What was their job in the Spanish American War?
8. What contribution did Walter Reed make to medicine at the time of the Spanish American War?