Money and The Spanish-American War
After the Civil War, reconstruction and technology sped up industrial and economic development throughout the United States.
This prompted strong economic lobbies and poltical ventures to increase economic opportunities.
One of these was the Spanish American War.
This prompted strong economic lobbies and poltical ventures to increase economic opportunities.
One of these was the Spanish American War.
Thesis
The rise of industrialization expanded the power of the sugar lobby, the importance of foreign markets, economic influence on politics, and the effects of the press. Combined, these resulted in the Spanish-American War.
The Depression of 1893
The Economy Collapses
- Dow Jones falls 39% in 5 months
- 642 banks close
- 15,000 businesses shut down
- 156 railroad lines fail
- Unemployment up to 43%
- Public debt of $262,000,000
Economic collapse of 1893 severely damages the popularity of the Democratic party, and prompts the competing Republican party to promote measures to protect and enhance the failing economy.
"We demand such an equitable tariff on foreign imports which come into competition with the American products as will not only furnish adequate revenue for the necessary expenses of the Government, but will protect American labor from degradation and the wage level of other lands." - Republican Platform, 1896
"We condemn the present administration for not keeping pace [faith] with the sugar producers of this country. The Republican party favors such protection as will lead to the production on American soil of all the sugar which the American people use, and for which they pay other countries more than one hundred million dollars annually." - Republican Platform, 1896
The Protection of Markets
Need to Expand and Protect the Economy
President McKinley and His Foreign Markets
"No subject can better engage our attention than the promotion of trade and commerce at home and abroad. Domestic conditions are sure to be im- proved by larger exchanges with the nations of the world... let us move out to new fields steadily and increase the sale for our products in foreign markets. It should be our settled purpose to open trade wherever we can," - President McKinley at the Dinner of the Commercial Club oF Cincinnati, Saturday, October 30, 1897.
"When history comes to define and name the leading most prominent feature of the Republican party since the first inauguration of McKinley, it will declare it to be a reaching out for larger markets." - Myron T. Herrick, a close friend and political associate of McKinley
Annexation of Phillipines
Despite the desire for independence by the Philippines, the U.S. pursued an aggressive policy to establish its own government and effectively annex the nation.
"If we take the Hawaiian Islands, hold on to the Philippines, and cultivate good neighborship with the Orient, to which they are key, the expansion of our commerce will be augmented a thousand fold." - Congressman William Smith
The Sugar Dillema
The Importance of Sugar to the Economy
Value of Products of Cane Sugar Refining. ~2 Times
1890: $123,118,259
1900: $239,711,011
Investments in Sugar Industry. ~7 Times
1890: $24,013,008
1900: $184,003,304
The Cuban Revolution significantly decreased the amount of raw cane sugar available for manufacturers in the US to refine, both due to the instability caused by the revolution itself and Spain's interference. Without a swift resolution to the conflict, the sugar industry would have suffered. It could not let that happen.
The Platt Amendment (1901)
An Agreement to Protect US Interests
"The government of Cuba consents that the United States may exercise the right to intervene for the preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty, and for discharging the obligations with respect to Cuba imposed by the Treaty of Paris on the United States, now to be assumed and undertaken by the government of Cuba."
With Cuba now stabilized and producing sugar again, the US Sugar Industry must ensure that its supply is not interrupted yet again.
"The Standard's New York correspondent reports that preparatory to the introduction of the Cuban reciprocity treaty into the United States Congress, Cuba raised the duties on American v goods, but raised the duties on the goods of other countries still more, thus exemplifying in a measure the preference accorded by British colonies to imports from the motherland, so 'often disparaged during the fiscal discussion in in England. The exemption of Cuban sugar from taxation is equivalent to a gift of 30 million dollars from the United States to Cuba, while the United States in return secures 85 per cent of the Cuban trade." - The Advertiser (1903)
Increased tariffs overall, but sugar exempted?
"As early as 1905, there were twenty-nine North American-owned mills, which processed 21 percent of the island's sugar crop" - Howard
Battle of the Papers
Yellow Journalism Feeds the Flames
The Sinking of the Battleship Maine
On February 15, 1898, the U.S. Warship Maine was sunk off the coast of Havana.
The circumstances of its sinking were unclear and did not explicitly place the Spanish at blame. Although its presence in the Cuban harbor had been noted by Spanish diplomats as an unfriendly act, friendly and cordial relations proceeded. Spanish officials were allowed to board and inspect the ship, gifts were exchanged, and crew members went onshore to attend a bullfight.
The explosion occurred at night. Despite the high-alert conditions enforced, no details about the cause of the explosion were noted except for the suspected presence of a few small boats nearby. Injured crew members were sent onshore where they received medical attention by Spanish medics and doctors. A later Congressional review of the events did not manage to identify any suspects.
Nonetheless, sensationalist papers such as the New York Journal exaggerated the circumstances in order to gain more viewers.
$900,000
The Annual Income of Richard Davis: Reporter on Cuba for William R. Hearst
"Everything is quiet... There is no trouble. There will be no war." - Richard Davis
"Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war." - William R. Hearst
"Yellow" Paper Headlines
"All Cuba Aflame," - New York World (1897)
"200,000 People Are Starving. General Weyler Trying 'To Kill Off the Breed'," - New York World (1897)
"Whole Country Thrills With The War Fever," - New York Journal
"Destruction of the War Ship Maine Was The Work of an Enemy," - New York Journal
"Inactivity of the Administration Condemned," - New York World (1898)
"Spain Is Now Actively Preparing For War," - New York World (1898)
"Spain's Reply... Points to War," - New York World (1898)
Other INTerests
Annexation was not in the interests of international parties.
Spain's Position was Friendly
"[the Spanish Prime Minister] quickly changed the military leadership and policies in Cuba, cut back sharply the additional soldiers being sent to Cuba, and promised to end reconcentration and to increase food and public works for those in need. Sagasta then promulgated Cuban autonomy was to begin January 1, 1898." - Offner
Spain was willing to compromise and proactively trying to end the conflict in a peaceful manner.
Use of Extreme Violence in Philippines
"[Malabon] We bombarded a place called Malabon, and then we went in and killed every native we met, men, women, and children. It was a dreadful sight, the killing of the poor creatures. The natives captured some of the Americans and literally hacked them to pieces, so we got orders to spare no one." -—Anthony Michea, Third Artillery
100,000~200,000 Civilians Killed
20,000 Rebels Killed
8000 Americans Killed/Wounded
Conclusion
It was Economics. Despite resistance, the appeal of economics to the political parties prompted the initiation of the Spanish-American War and its outcome of annexation or imperialistic control. This was not the only instance where money has played a decisive role in determining the actions of the government, however. Even in our era of transparency and diplomacy, it is likely that the recent Iraq and Afghanistan wars were prompted by the desire for economic expansion.
But at what cost? Both lives and significant resources are spent in these conflicts, and they often result in chaos once outside forces retreat. It is our responsibility as citizens to draw the line between corruption and necessity and to use our capabilities of reason to decide whether or not a war or invasion is truly warranted, and how to clean up the mess afterwards.
But at what cost? Both lives and significant resources are spent in these conflicts, and they often result in chaos once outside forces retreat. It is our responsibility as citizens to draw the line between corruption and necessity and to use our capabilities of reason to decide whether or not a war or invasion is truly warranted, and how to clean up the mess afterwards.
References
Available at:
http://www.noodletools.com/public/151021191610876937284207
http://www.noodletools.com/public/151021191610876937284207