The Spanish America War (1898) Activity

This presentation provides students a visually stimulating lesson detailing the Spanish American War (1898) & it's legacy. Designed as a student-centered activity to be uploaded into google classroom, the presentation includes 8 embedded focus questions for students to answer using their core text (and additional information presented in the slides). The 13 slide activity is filled with colorful pictures, maps, charts, and other relevant information that will serve as a platform in which to build additional related activities. This lesson is also great to use when you are out of the classroom, serving as an awesome resource for sub days! If you'd like a version you can edit, shoot me an email and I'll be happy to help. Enjoy!

Topics include:

* Trouble brewing in Cuba. The Cuban rebellions against Spanish rule in 1868 & 1895, the Spanish response to these rebellions, & the increased U.S. interest in the island.

* The role of American newspapers & the practice of yellow journalism to shape public opinion against the Spanish.

* The de Lome Letter, the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine, and the march towards war.

* The U.S. declares war on Spain & the course of the war that followed (fighting in the Philippines & Cuba).

* The U.S. emerges victorious over Spain; the terms of the Treaty of Paris turn the U.S. into a new global power on the world stage.

* The debate over the treaty: imperialists vs. anti-imperialists; the U.S. Senate ratifies the treaty in a victory for the imperialists.

* The U.S. stays in Cuba (military governments, Platt Amendment, military interventions, & U.S. business interests move-in).

* Lesson learning target on the bottom of every slide.