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Spain and the USA went to war in the year 1898. The Spanish-American War was fought in the Caribbean and the Pacific. After the United States emerged victorious she became a colonial power.
Video
Overview
- Date: 23 / 25 Apr 1898 – 12 Aug 1898
- Location: Cuba, Puerto Rico & Philippines
- Start: Spanish & U.S. declarations of war
- End: Protocol of Peace between Spain & the USA
Parties & Persons Involved
- United States of America
- Cuban Allies
- Philippine Allies (Katipunan)
- Spain
Background
- Spain & Spanish colonies:
- Spain is economically, politically & militarily weak because of a lack of reforms
- Independence movements intensify in Spain’s last colonies in the Caribbean (Cuba & Puerto Rico) & in the Pacific (Philippines)
- Spain faces military conflicts in her colonies, esp. the Cuban war of Independence (1895-1898)
- United States of America:
- The USA have economic interests in Asia & the Caribbean, esp. Cuba where the U.S. is already heavily invested
- The majority of the U.S. people support the Cuban independence movement
History
Prologue
- 25 Jan 1898: The USS Maine is sent to Havana
- 15 Feb 1898: the USS Maine sinks after an explosion
- 19 Apr 1898: A resolution of the U.S. Congress demands independence for Cuba & authorises military means
- 23 Apr 1898: Spain declares war on the USA
Pacific
- 01 May 1898: A U.S. squadron defeats the Spanish Pacific Fleet in the Battle of Manila
- 20 – 21 Jun 1898: U.S. forces take Guam without any bloodshed
- 13 Aug 1898: U.S. forces win the Battle of Manila & the Spanish forces honourably capitulate the next day
- Jun – Aug 1898: The German Empire orders a cruiser squadron to the Philippines & this Manila Incident causes diplomatic tensions
Caribbean
- 08 May – 13 Aug 1898: U.S. operations against Spanish troops in Puerto Rico
- 08 May – 13 Aug 1898: Spanish forces in Puerto Rico remain undefeated so that there is no decision in this theatre
- 06 – 10 Jun 1898: U.S. Marines take the port of Guantanamo Bay
- 22 – 24 Jun: U.S. troops land at Daiquiri & Siboney
- 01 Jul 1898: U.S. troops win the Battles of San Juan Hill & El Caney
- From 02 Jul 1898: Siege of Santiago de Cuba
- 03 Jul 1898: U.S. Navy defeats the Spanish Atlantic Fleet in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
- 12 Aug 1898: The signing of the Protocols of Peace in Washington means the end of the war (peace treaty on 10 Dec in Paris)
Consequences & Impact
- Treaty of Paris:
- The USA gains the Philippines (for $ 20m), Guam & Puerto Rico from Spain
- Cuba gains independence from Spain
- Spain:
- Ultimate loss of the Spanish Empire
- Societal & political re-orientation in Spain
- United States:
- The USA become a colonial / imperialist power
- The economic expansion of the USA to Asia & the Caribbean intensifies
- Cuba & Puerto Rico:
- Cuba gains independence & is declared a republic in 1902, but the U.S. remain the right to unilaterally intervene (Platt Amendment, 1901)
- Puerto Rico is a U.S. overseas territory
- Philippines:
- The Philippines are U.S. overseas territory until their independence in 1946