Week 3
War, newspapers, and new lands! This week we will follow the Spanish American War, its aftermath, and the building of the Panama Canal.

The Spanish-American war was a very short but widespread and influential war. The outcome of it provided freedom from Spain for some countries and more territories for America. This was also a time of sensational headlines in newspapers and something called "yellow Journalism". One famous newspaper man was even quoted as saying "You send me the photos and I'll give you a war." He meant that he could fabricate or make up the details to support the photos to look like war! Yellow journalism was not true news. It contained wild headlines to grab the attention of readers, false statments, fake interviews, and drawn pictures if a real photograph could not be taken! Would you like news like this?

Watch the following video segments about the Spanish American war:
The United States takes a role in World affairs
The Spanish American War begins
The war in the Philippines and the Caribbean

America's influence around the world increased at this time. We acquired new territories and helped build a significant structure for transportation: The Panama Canal. This canal allowed for easier shipping of goods and movement of people between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Watch the following segment from Bill Nye the Science Guy to see how Canals work!
Canals

Test your knowledge of this week's work!

1. Cuba was fighting for independence from......
Spain
The United States
The Philippines

2. What country supported Cuba in its fight for independence?
Spain
The United States
The Caribbean

3. What was the name of the group of volunteers led by Teddy Roosevelt to fight in the Spanish American war?
Motley Crew
The Rough Riders
The Volunteer Brigade

4.  Yellow Journalism caused this among its readers.....
An increase in knowledge from the articles.
Hysteria from outrageous and false headlines and articles.

5. What was the catch phrase that people said to remind them of what the Spanish may have done to Americans in Cuba?
Remember the Maine!
Remember the Alamo!
Remember Spain!

6. What other country was trying to gain independence from Spain?
The Caribbean
The Hawaiian Islands
The Philippines

7. What were the two areas where American military fleets were deployed to during the Spanish American war?
The Caribbean and the Pacific
Europe and the Atlantic
Europe and Asia

8. What poor planning caused many American troops to suffer in the tropical Caribbean heat?
No Kool-Aid to drink
Wool Uniforms

9. What killed over 1,000 U.S. soldiers and supporters in the Spanish American war?
Yellow Fever
Combat
Mosquitoes

10. What two territories did the U.S. acquire from the Spanish American War?
Spain and Cuba
Cuba and the Philippines
Guam and Puerto Rico

Go to the Assignments page to complete this week's work.