Spanish-American War | 3 Minute History

Summary

In the late 19th century, the Spanish Empire was in decline, with Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and a few Pacific islands remaining under their control. Cuba's fight for independence intensified, drawing in the United States, which had long been interested in expanding its influence. After the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898, the U.S. entered the Spanish-American War, quickly defeating the Spanish in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The war ended with the U.S. gaining control of these territories, though tensions with Filipino revolutionaries led to a costly conflict in the Philippines. The Spanish Empire effectively collapsed, and America’s dominance in the Western Hemisphere grew.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Spanish Empire in the late 19th century was much smaller, with Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and a few Pacific islands like Guam.
• 😀 Cuba's demand for independence grew, leading to a conflict in the 1870s with the 10 Years' War, where Spain emerged victorious.
• 😀 Violence erupted again in 1895, starting the Cuban War of Independence.
• 😀 The United States had a growing interest in expanding influence and had long been tied to Cuba, even attempting to buy the island.
• 😀 The U.S. also supported the Cuban revolutionaries, with key figures like Jose Martí being émigrés living in the U.S.
• 😀 The Spanish used concentration camps in Cuba, where many Cubans died from hunger and disease, fueling American outrage.
• 😀 U.S. yellow journalism exaggerated the events, helping to sway public opinion for war.
• 😀 In February 1898, the U.S.S. Maine sank in Havana Harbor, possibly by accident, but the press blames Spain, pushing the U.S. toward war.
• 😀 In April 1898, the U.S. Navy blockaded Cuban ports, and war broke out, with the U.S. quickly gaining the upper hand.
• 😀 The U.S. defeated Spain in the Philippines at the Battle of Manila Bay and helped Filipino leaders return to fight against Spain.
• 😀 The U.S. also annexed Hawaii and seized Guam, further strengthening its position in the Pacific.
• 😀 In Cuba, American forces captured key territories, including Guantanamo Bay, and secured significant victories like the Battle of San Juan Hill, where Teddy Roosevelt rose to fame.
• 😀 After a truce was signed on August 12, 1898, both the U.S. and Spain fought a mock battle in the Philippines to avoid Filipino control of Manila.
• 😀 The peace treaty granted Cuba its independence, but it remained under the U.S. sphere of influence, signaling the end of the Spanish Empire.
• 😀 Although the Spanish gave up Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, the revolutionary elements in the Philippines remained, leading to a prolonged U.S.-Filipino conflict.

Q & A

Why did Cuba seek independence from Spain in the 19th century?

Cuba sought independence from Spain due to increasing demands for freedom and self-governance. Cuban nationalists were frustrated with Spanish colonial rule, which led to uprisings like the Ten Years' War and the subsequent Cuban War of Independence.

What role did the United States play in the Cuban struggle for independence?

The United States had a vested interest in Cuba due to economic ties and expansionist ambitions. Many Americans wanted to take over Cuba, and US involvement increased as Cuban revolutionaries, like José Martí, were based in the US. This culminated in US support for Cuba's independence after the explosion of the USS Maine.

What was the significance of the USS Maine's explosion in 1898?

The USS Maine's explosion in Havana Harbor in February 1898 was a turning point in the US's decision to enter the Spanish-American War. Although the cause of the explosion was likely an accident, the media sensationalized it, pushing public opinion towards war.

What was the role of the yellow press in the lead-up to the Spanish-American War?

The yellow press, a term for sensationalist media, played a key role in stirring public sentiment by exaggerating reports of Spanish atrocities in Cuba. This sensationalism helped rally the American public to demand war with Spain.

How did the Spanish-American War start in Cuba?

The Spanish-American War officially started in April 1898 when the US Navy blockaded Cuban ports after the explosion of the USS Maine. The war rapidly escalated, with US forces gaining the upper hand in the conflict.

How did the United States achieve victory in the Philippines during the war?

The US Navy, after securing control over Cuba, dispatched ships to the Philippines, where they decisively defeated the Spanish Navy in the Battle of Manila Bay. This was a pivotal moment in the Spanish-American War, contributing to Spain's eventual defeat.

What was the outcome for the Philippines after the Spanish-American War?

Although the Philippines declared independence in 1898 and fought against Spanish rule, the US ultimately annexed the Philippines. This led to a prolonged and costly war between the United States and Filipino revolutionaries.

Why did the United States annex Hawaii during the Spanish-American War?

The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 strengthened the United States' strategic position in the Pacific. The US had previously helped overthrow Hawaii's monarchy, and its annexation provided key military advantages, particularly for the war with Spain.

What was the significance of the Battle of San Juan Hill?

The Battle of San Juan Hill, fought in Cuba in July 1898, was a major American victory in the Spanish-American War. It was particularly famous for the involvement of the Rough Riders, led by Theodore Roosevelt, and helped boost Roosevelt's public image.

How did the Spanish-American War affect Spain's colonial empire?

The Spanish-American War led to the collapse of the Spanish Empire. Spain was forced to cede control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. The war marked the end of Spanish colonial dominance in the Americas and the Pacific.