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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