American History Chapter 9 Lesson 2

General Valeriano Weyler is known as perhaps the most brutal of all Spanish generals during the Spanish-Cuban conflicts. He was appointed as Governor-General of Cuba in 1896 and implemented a policy of reconcentration, where Cuban civilians were forcibly relocated to concentration camps. Weyler's harsh tactics, including mass executions and the destruction of villages, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cubans. His brutal methods earned him the nickname "The Butcher" and made him infamous during the conflict.

The Americans first battled to give the people of Cuba independence in the Philippine Islands. This suggests that the fight for Cuban independence took place in a different location, specifically the Philippine Islands.

Commodore Dewey headed out to Manila as his first destination. Manila is also the capital of the Philippines.

San Juan Hill was going to become the most important piece of land for the United States to gain control of if they had any chance of defeating the Spanish. This strategic location in Cuba was a crucial point during the Spanish-American War in 1898. The hill provided a vantage point to overlook the surrounding area and control the movement of Spanish troops. The successful capture of San Juan Hill by American forces, including the famous charge led by Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, played a significant role in the overall victory of the United States in the war.

During the late 19th century, Spain did not own Mexico. Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821 after a long struggle for freedom. By 1890, Mexico was a sovereign nation and no longer under Spanish rule. Spain did, however, own the Philippine Islands, Cuba, and Puerto Rico at that time.

President McKinley gave the Spanish 3 days to get out of Cuba and give the people of Cuba their independence. This indicates that he had a sense of urgency and wanted immediate action to be taken. It suggests that he was determined to support the independence of Cuba and was not willing to wait for a long period of time.

The statement is false because there is no historical evidence to support the claim that Cuba was able to defeat and destroy the entire Spanish army in a single major battle. While Cuba did play a significant role in the Spanish-American War and eventually gained independence from Spain, the war was a series of battles and campaigns that took place over several years, rather than a single decisive battle.

President McKinley's experience of living through the tragedy of the Civil War would be the best reason for him not wanting to get into another war. Having personally witnessed the devastation and loss caused by war, he would have understood the immense cost and suffering it brings. This firsthand experience would have made him more cautious and reluctant to engage in another conflict, prioritizing peace and stability for the American people.

The statement provided is incorrect. It is not well-documented or proven that the Spanish were responsible for the sinking of the USS Maine. In fact, the cause of the sinking is still disputed among historians. The USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor in 1898, which led to the Spanish-American War. While some believed that the Spanish were responsible, subsequent investigations have failed to conclusively prove their involvement. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

The reason why the USS Maine and other American ships were near Cuba at a time of dangerous results is to protect American citizens around Cuba. This is because during that period, there were tensions between the United States and Spain, and the presence of American ships in the area was aimed at ensuring the safety and security of American citizens in case of any conflict or danger.

Commodore Dewey's victory over the Spanish in Manila in less than 1 day is historically accurate. During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Dewey led the United States Navy's Asiatic Squadron to engage the Spanish Pacific Squadron in Manila Bay. The battle took place on May 1, 1898, and resulted in a decisive American victory. Dewey's fleet destroyed or captured all of the Spanish ships without suffering any casualties. This quick and successful defeat of the Spanish forces solidified American control over the Philippines and marked a significant turning point in the war.

Commodore Dewey was honored and saluted in various ways for his historic victory in Manila. Babies being named after him and bubble gum being named after him are examples of such tributes. However, the statement "a ship was named after him" is incorrect. It is possible that a ship was not named after Commodore Dewey as a way of honoring him for his victory in Manila.

The correct answer is mailmen. The First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, also known as the "Rough Riders," was a volunteer regiment formed during the Spanish-American War. It was composed of a diverse group of individuals, including cowboys, college students, and policemen, but mailmen were not part of this group.

The statement is true because the Battle in Manila Bay refers to the naval battle that took place during the Spanish-American War in 1898. It was primarily fought between the United States Navy and the Spanish Navy. The American fleet, led by Admiral George Dewey, engaged and defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, showcasing the dominance of naval power in the conflict. Therefore, the battle was indeed predominantly navy based.

Yellow journalism is actually characterized by sensationalism, exaggeration, and the use of misleading or exaggerated headlines to attract readers. It often prioritizes sensational stories over accuracy and can be biased or unreliable. Therefore, it is not the most accurate style of newspaper writing and is not known for being precise and detailed.

The correct answer is "Rough Riders were immediately ambushed getting off their ship." This means that the Rough Riders did not face an ambush as they arrived in Santiago, Cuba.

The United States became worried about the Spanish-Cuban conflicts due to several reasons. One reason was the Spanish brutality on Cubans, which involved human rights abuses and atrocities committed by the Spanish forces. Another reason was the attacking of the USS Maine, an American battleship, which heightened tensions between the two countries. Additionally, American trade being interrupted also contributed to the concerns of the United States. However, the closeness of Cuba to the United States is not a reason for the US to be worried about the conflicts, as proximity alone does not necessarily warrant concern.

Costa Rica was not a Spanish colony or a Spanish colony that was forced to be given up after losing the Spanish-American War. Costa Rica gained independence from Spain in 1821 and was not involved in the Spanish-American War, which took place in 1898. Therefore, it is the correct answer to the question.

In order for the United States to give Cuba its complete independence, both the addition of the Platt Amendment and the construction of a US Naval Base had to happen. The Platt Amendment was added to the Cuban constitution, giving the United States certain control over Cuban affairs. Additionally, the United States required the construction of a naval base in Cuba, known as the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Both of these conditions were necessary for the United States to grant Cuba its complete independence.

Puerto Rico is a self-governing and self-operating territory with no help from the United States. This means that Puerto Rico has its own government and manages its own affairs without relying on the United States for assistance or support. As a self-governing territory, Puerto Rico has the authority to make decisions and enact laws that are specific to its own needs and interests. However, it is important to note that Puerto Rico does receive some assistance from the United States, such as financial aid and disaster relief, but it is not entirely dependent on the United States for governance and operations.

Commodore George Dewey did not team up with Emilio Aguinaldo to fight off the Spanish. While Dewey was the commander of the U.S. Asiatic Squadron during the Spanish-American War, and his victory in the Battle of Manila Bay helped the Philippines gain independence from Spain, he did not directly collaborate with Aguinaldo. In fact, tensions arose between the two leaders later on, as the United States took control of the Philippines after the war.

The correct answer is 2 weeks. This suggests that it took the Americans approximately 2 weeks to defeat the Spanish and grant Cuba its independence. This implies that the conflict was not resolved quickly, but rather required a significant amount of time and effort from the Americans to achieve their goal.