The Spanish-American War was a brief conflict fought between Spain and the United States from April 21 to August 13, 1898. It began largely due to the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba, and escalated from U.S. intervention in Cuba's war of independence against Spain. The war ended with a decisive U.S. victory, which resulted in Spain relinquishing control of Cuba, and ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S., marking the end of Spain’s colonial empire in the Americas and establishing the United States as a new world power with overseas territories.
Causes and Background
- Cuban nationalists revolted against Spanish colonial rule starting in 1895.
- Brutal Spanish military policies in Cuba and sensationalized American yellow journalism stirred U.S. public opinion.
- The sinking of the USS Maine in February 1898 precipitated U.S. military intervention.
- U.S. President William McKinley prepared for war despite initial reluctance.
Major Events
- Naval battles such as the Battle of Manila Bay saw U.S. forces defeat Spanish fleets quickly.
- The Battle of San Juan Hill, featuring Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, became iconic.
- The U.S. army and Cuban forces laid siege to Santiago, and the Spanish fleet was destroyed attempting to escape.
- The war lasted roughly four months and ended on August 13, 1898, with a ceasefire and formal treaty in December.
Consequences
- Spain ceded control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.
- The war marked the decline of Spanish colonial power and the emergence of the U.S. as a global imperial power.
- The conflict led to further U.S. involvement in the Philippines in a subsequent Philippine-American War.
This war is significant for its rapid conclusion and its impact on the global geopolitical landscape at the turn of the 20th century.
