SAQs for APUSH Topic 7.3— The Spanish American War

Fifteen questions designed to help students review for the annual exam and that relate to a ten-week armed conflict between Spain and the United States in 1898

The USS Maine

1. Briefly describe one historical event, development, or process that occurred before the Spanish American War.
2. Briefly explain one argument that supports the view that the Spanish-American War was caused by humanitarian concerns.
3. Briefly explain one argument that supports the view that the Spanish-American War was caused by imperialist motives.
4. Briefly explain one argument why the Spanish-American War could be considered the beginning of a new era in American foreign policy.
5. The American victory in the Spanish–American War led to the U.S. acquisition of island territories in the Caribbean. Name and briefly describe one piece of evidence in support of this claim.
6. The American victory in the Spanish–American War led to the U.S. acquisition of island territories in the Pacific. Name and briefly describe one piece of evidence in support of this claim.
7. The American victory in the Spanish–American War led to an increase in US involvement in Asia. Name and briefly describe one piece of evidence in support of this claim.
8. The American victory in the Spanish–American War led to the suppression of a nationalist movement in the Philippines. Name and briefly describe one piece of evidence in support of this claim.
9. Briefly explain one argument that supports the view of those who argued in favor of expansionism and one argument that supports the view of those who argued against expansionism.
10. Briefly describe one major similarity and one major difference between the sinking of the USS Maine and the attack on the USS Maddox.
11. Briefly describe one major similarity and one major difference between the sinking of the USS Maine and the sinking of the RMS Lusitania.
12. Briefly describe one major similarity and one major difference between the Spanish American War and the Mexican American War.
13. Briefly describe one major similarity and one major difference between the Spanish American War and the War of 1812.
14. Briefly describe one historical event, development, or process that occurred after the Spanish American War and that was not directly related to the war.
15. Yellow journalism was a cause of the Spanish American War. Name and briefly describe one piece of evidence in support of this claim.