History 371Hon

Devine

Fall 2010

Study Questions on the Spanish-American War and the “Four Ds”

1. Why did the Depression of 1893 convince some Americans that the country had to pursue an expansionist foreign policy?

2. What resources did any nation in the 1890’s need to insure its goods could move safely to other nations? What disadvantage did the United States have in this regard, compared to nations such as Britain, France, and Spain?

3. By 1898, why did Cubans want independence from Spain? Why did they think that setting fire to the sugar crop would achieve this end?

4. Why were the Cuban policies of the Spanish envoy “Butcher” Weyler so stupid? What did he do and why did it backfire?

5. What role did the mass media in the U.S. play in shifting public opinion in favor of war with Spain? Why is it an oversimplification to say that the sensationalist reporting of the Hearst papers explains why public opinion moved in favor of war?

6. Why did most businessmen oppose war with Spain? What effect did their vocal opposition have on public opinion?

7. Why did President William McKinley not want to go to war with Spain? What events – two in particular – forced his hand and led him to declare war on Spain?

8. How did Theodore Roosevelt play a role in pressuring President McKinley? Why did Roosevelt and other “jingoes” think going to war would be good for the country (especially its men)?

9. What were some of the problems the U.S. faced as it prepared to wage war in Cuba? (Think in terms of infrastructure, supplies, logistics, and military leadership.)

10. Why did the Philippines become an issue for the United States after the Spanish-American war ended? Why did McKinley conclude the U.S. had to maintain a presence in the Philippines?

11. How do the “Four D’s” – duty, destiny, defense, and dollars – each explain in part the motivations for an expansionist American foreign policy? How do they show that “idealistic” and “realistic” motivations are often present at the same time?