The Spanish-American War

Summary

In 1898, the U.S. engaged in the Spanish-American War, driven by Admiral Alfred Mahan's belief in naval power and fueled by the plight of Cuban rebels. Tensions escalated after the explosion of the USS Maine, leading to war with Spain. The U.S. swiftly defeated Spanish forces in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, including battles in Cuba and the Philippines. The Rough Riders, led by Theodore Roosevelt, gained fame in Cuba. The war ended after just four months, with the U.S. emerging as an imperial power, acquiring territories like Puerto Rico and Guam.

Takeaways

• 😀 Admiral Alfred T. Mahan became a military advisor to President McKinley in 1901 and advocated for increasing U.S. naval power.
• 😀 Mahan's book *The Influence of Sea Power upon History* (1660-1783) emphasized the link between national strength and naval might.
• 😀 Mahan's ideas led the U.S. to expand its navy, establish Caribbean naval bases, build the Panama Canal, and increase its presence in the Pacific.
• 😀 By the late 19th century, Spain's control over its empire in the Caribbean and Pacific was weakening, with Cuba and Puerto Rico under tension.
• 😀 Cuban revolutionary José Martí emerged as a key figure calling for independence from Spain, inspiring further uprisings.
• 😀 Martí's writings, including a patriotic poem, led to his exile and martyrdom, but his revolution continued after his death.
• 😀 In 1894, Martí organized guerrilla actions to destroy U.S.-owned sugar plantations in Cuba, hoping to provoke American intervention.
• 😀 Yellow journalism, led by publishers William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, exaggerated stories about Spanish atrocities in Cuba, inflaming American sentiment.
• 😀 The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898, killing 266 U.S. sailors, was blamed on Spain, fueling calls for war.
• 😀 The U.S. declared war on Spain in April 1898, leading to military engagements in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, including the defeat of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.
• 😀 Theodore Roosevelt led the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, contributing to key victories, including the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba.
• 😀 After the war, the U.S. quickly captured Puerto Rico, and Spain signed a peace treaty, ending hostilities after just four months.
• 😀 The Spanish-American War marked the U.S.'s emergence as a world power, acquiring territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Q & A

What was Admiral Alfred T. Mahan known for?

Admiral Alfred T. Mahan was best known for his influential book 'The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783,' where he argued that a nation's power is closely tied to its naval strength.

What was Mahan's vision for the U.S. Navy?

Mahan advocated for expanding the U.S. Navy, establishing Caribbean naval bases, building a canal across the Isthmus of Panama, and increasing U.S. possessions in the Pacific.

What was the condition of Spain's empire in the late 19th century?

In the late 19th century, Spain's empire was weakening, with Cuba and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean and the Philippines and Guam in the Pacific being tenuously controlled.

How did Jose Marti contribute to the Cuban independence movement?

Jose Marti became a national hero by writing patriotic poems and organizing guerrilla actions to provoke U.S. intervention in Cuba's fight for independence from Spain.

What was the significance of the explosion of the USS Maine?

The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 killed 266 men and became a rallying cry, leading to a U.S. declaration of war against Spain.

What role did yellow journalism play in the Spanish-American War?

Yellow journalism, particularly by publishers William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, sensationalized stories to stir public outrage against Spain and push the U.S. toward war.

What was the impact of the USS Maine explosion on U.S. public opinion?

The explosion of the USS Maine helped inflame public opinion in the U.S., with the media attributing the attack to Spain, leading to increased support for war.

What was the outcome of the U.S. Navy's involvement in the Philippines?

The U.S. Navy, led by Commodore George Dewey, surprised and destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, which helped set the stage for the Philippines' independence and U.S. control of the area.

How were African-American soldiers involved in the Spanish-American War?

African-American soldiers, particularly the 9th Cavalry, played a significant role in battles such as the charge up Kettle Hill, despite facing difficult conditions and racial prejudice.

What was the outcome of the Spanish-American War?

The Spanish-American War ended in a U.S. victory after only four months, with Spain agreeing to a peace treaty and ceding control of its colonies, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.