Spanish American War

The Live Lesson

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Read the Source, and answer the questions in Padlet

Cast your ballot - Do we go to War

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There are 4 (four) breakout rooms. Each room will look at 1 (one) source together. You will have 15 minutes to look at the source and answer the questions.

You will return to the main room after 15 minutes of reviewing your primary source!

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Spanish - American War

Should we go to war?Let's ask leaders of the era.

Group #1

WHOLE CLASS

Group #4

Group #3

Group #2

The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war. Congress has declared war on 11 occasions, including its first declaration of war with Great Britain in 1812. You all have now been elected to the 55th Congress of the United States of America. You must choose should we go to war with Spain or should we endeavor to seek peace. Let's talk and look at some sources.

W

Video

Cubans ambush Spaniards

Video

Morro Castle, Havana Harbor

Print

Rough Riders

Print

USS Maine Explosion

Letter

Lt. George Blow

Letter

Lt. John Blanding

Video

USS Maine Wreckage

Let's Explore

These are some primary sources from the era

[Letterhead: New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Company] On Board: S.S. City of Washington [Havana], February 16, 1898 Dearest, I sent you two cablegrams last night telling you of my safety, and before they both reached you before the morning papers, and that you were spared theagony of suspense and uncertainty. It seems almost selfish to speak of ourselves even when so many hundreds are mourning lost dear ones. Still I could only give you the brief statement that I was safe and unhurt. I can not tell you now of my miraculous escape, as the scene is still too terrible to recall, even had I the time. I will only say that I was in my room, writing to you when the ship blew up, and that when I rushed for the ladder leading on deck I found the door closed. In pitch darkness, with explosion following explosion, and expecting each second to be blown into the air, or drowned by the inrushing water, I found the other door and reached the ladder - probably the last. The whole ship was blown into the air, except the officer’s quarters - which explains why so many of them were saved. In fact we only lost two, and only our [unreadable] was slightly wounded. Among the men all [underlined] were blown up, but we saved about 50, leaving about 250 dead. I can not write of the horrors now. Each man lived a lifetime of horror in a few seconds and all would like to forget it if possible. Whether we were torpedoed by the Spanish, blown up by a mine, or whither the Cubans did it to bring on a war - or whether it was one of these spontaneous explosions, we do not know. I hate to suspect the Spanish, and their actions, sympathy and [unreadable] seems to indicate that they [underlined] are ignorant of the cause. For the present we must withhold our .... [part missing] It is almost certain that Congress will declare war today, without waiting -and it is possible that we may be prisoners before night. If so you must not worry, as we are sure to relieve good treatment on account of the sympathy of the people. I escaped in my trousers, undershirt and [unreadable]. Of course lost my glasses and haven’t a cent in the world. [unreadable] will look out for us when he gets time. At present we have other and sadder duties to our lost shipmates. do not worry about me darling, for I am strong and able to stand whatever may come - be it what it may. If we were destroyed by treachery, we must avenge our dead when the opportunity occurs. In my struggle in the darkness and water, you and the babies were in my mind, dearest. I found time to help our poor devil to climb to a place of safety. Whether he escaped or who he was I do not know. Nearly all the saved among the crew were people who had blown overboard and afterwards picked up. One man was picked up a hundred yards away. The mail steamer has arrived and brought me your two dear letters of the 9th and 10th. As the mail goes out again immediately I must stop and read them and see if they require immediate answer. Well, dearest, I have read the letters and find they contain good news so I will not attempt to answer them now. God bless you dearest. He has been very good to us. Love and kisses for the dear little ones and a heart full to bursting of love and longing for you my darling. I must go to work, love to all, Preston

SS City of WashingtonHavana, Cuba, 1898February 16 My darling, You have read of our wreck, and I suppose Dr. Greer has informed you that I am all right. I was on watch when the explosion took place. A more complete and sudden wreck one can’t imagine. All of us left alive climbed onto the poop, and then looked around to see in anything could be done. We pulled out the wounded where we could. The wreck sunk and rested on the bottom, and was soon burning fiercely. When the Captain saw that nothing more could be done, he gave the order to abandon ship. We had two boats left that would float, and the Spanish man-of-war sent 5 boats, the steamer Washington sent 2 boats, and we got all who were alive into them, 80 men and officers were saved, out of 340. So we lost 260 men, or near that. About half of those saved are badly injured, and some will die. We all went to the American Steamship “City of Washington”, of the Ward Line, and were treated with every courtesy. I have just learned that we are to go to Key West this afternoon, and suppose I will get home soon. Two officers were lost, Jenkins and Merritt, both good friends of mine and fine fellows. As for myself, I am uninjured. I lost everything except the clothes I have on. Tell Jack that I had a letter to him finished, but it was lost in the wreck. Thank God, my darling that my live was spared again. Lots of love to my darlings from you own Jack No one can tell what caused the explosion. I don’t believe the Spanish had anything to do with it. Jack Don’t publish this letter.

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