The Spanish-American War, in which the United States became involved in Cuba’s war for independence from Spain, lasted less than four months. In a separate note, however, he made it clear that nothing less than independence for Cuba would be acceptable. But the war provided the United States an opportunity to seize overseas possessions and begin building an American empire. the treaty also forced Spain to cede Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States. It destroyed the Spanish Empire and ushered in a new era of American Empire. a coup against Queen Liliuokalani and established a new government. A War in Perspective, 1898-1998: A War Becomes History The New York Public Library's online exhibit on the Spanish American War is extensive, well-organized, and well-illustrated with images of the many artifacts in its collections and other institutions. control of the island, foreswore any intention on the part of the United States Spain, however, still refused to concede independence, which McKinley evidently now considered indispensable for restoration of peace and order in Cuba. On April 6 representatives of Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Italy, and Russia called upon McKinley and begged him in the name of humanity to refrain from armed intervention in Cuba. for authorization to end the fighting in Cuba between the rebels and Spanish Popular pressure for intervention was reinforced by Spain’s evident inability to end the war by either victory or concession. States, and the U.S. Congress voted to go to war against Spain on April 25. pursue its strategic and economic interests in Asia. The president beat back an attempt in the Senate to include recognition of the existing but insubstantial insurgent government. of the Secretaries of State, Principal Officers and Chiefs of Cuba was owned by Spain in 1895 but fought Spain for their independence. U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to Spanish-American War, (1898), conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. Spain clutched at the only straws in sight. They By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Cleveland rejected their requests. After the U.S. America had risen to global ascendancy and power. the islands. The demand for intervention became insistent, in Congress, on the part of both Republicans and Democrats (though such Republican leaders as Sen. Mark Hanna and Speaker Thomas B. Reed opposed it), and in the country at large. Photographic History of Spanish-American War, p. 86. Spain also agreed to sell the Philippines to the United States for the sum of Such opposition diminished after a speech in the Senate on March 17 by Sen. Redfield Proctor of Vermont, who had just returned from a tour of Cuba. diplomatic relations with the United States. Charge of the 24th and 25th Colored Infantry and Rescue of Rough Riders at Visit Main Page for copyright data. The Spanish-American War was a tremendous turning point in American history. Spanish-American War, 1898 The war between the United States and Spain was largely fought in Cuba and the Philippines. Corrections? That same day, Spain declared war on the United At best it is perceived as a mere theatre of the Spanish American War, … His speech, as The Wall Street Journal remarked on March 19, “converted a great many people on Wall Street.” Religious leaders contributed to the clamour for intervention, framing it as a religious and humanitarian duty. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Fighting centred on Manila, where U.S. Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay (May 1, 1898), and on Santiago de Cuba, which fell to U.S. forces after hard fighting in July. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). On February 15, 1898, the American battleship, The Maine, exploded in the Havana, Cuba harbor, killing 266 officers and crew. The war was fought largely over the independence of Cuba. Brooklyn fought off the Spanish ship the Cristobal Colon and played an important part in the sea fight off the coast of Santiago on July 3, 1898. The war was also the first successful test of the new armored navy. Spain would end the reconcentration policy. created much sympathy for the Cuban revolutionaries. The war went on in Cuba, and a series of incidents brought the United States to the brink of intervention. It ended the world power of Spain. Nearing a quarter-century of service, the heavy, hand-cranked beast’s days were numbered. U.S. business interests, in general, opposed intervention and war. A U.S. naval board found convincing evidence that an initial explosion outside the hull (presumably from a mine or torpedo) had touched off the battleship’s forward magazine. The causes of the conflict were many, but the immediate ones were America's support of Cuba's ongoing struggle against Spanish rule and the mysterious explosion of the U.S.S. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Fought between April and August 1898, the Spanish-American War was the result of American concern over Spanish treatment of Cuba, political pressures, and anger over the sinking of USS Maine. The conflict lasted from April to August 1898. McKinley’s response was to send an ultimatum to Spain on March 27. McKinley responded by implementing Emperador Carlos V: Larger and more powerful than the Cristobal Colón, this armored cruiser was one of a few Spanish ships to escape destruction of the U.S. Navy. A merica went to war against Spain to free Cuba from Spanish domination. Nimbler, more compact and faster-firing machine guns were beginning to dot the globe’s conflicts — including the one in Cuba and the Pacific. The Spanish-American War of 1898 ended Spain’s colonial empire in the Western Hemisphere and secured the position of the United States as a Pacific power. During the late 1800s, a few American leaders thought America should join the quest to take other lands. The war officially ended between the United States and Spain had been mounting for months. related to the Spanish American War, simply type in "Spanish American War" (or whatever you are interested in) as the keyword and click on "go" to get a list of titles available through Amazon.com. #2: The U.S.S. The immediate cause of the Spanish-American War was Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain. The surrender of Cuba might mean the overthrow of the government or even the monarchy. Now you do. Gen. Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau (nicknamed El Carnicero, “the Butcher”), Cubans were herded into so-called “reconcentration areas” in and around the larger cities; those who remained at large were treated as enemies. The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain that effectively ended Spain's role as a colonial power in the New World. four months later, when the U.S. and Spanish governments signed the Treaty of Photographic History of the Spanish-American War, p. 88. three years of fighting by Cuban revolutionaries to gain independence from Congress made Hawaii a U.S. territory on August 12, 1898. Cuba had been fighting for independence for 30 years. Grover Cleveland, who opposed intervention, though he intimated in his final message to Congress that prolongation of the war might make it necessary. Download an uncompressed TIFF (.tif) version of this image. Now the equals of the European powers, they showed similar tendencies toward benevolent paternalism that the European powers had shown the native peoples of lands taken control of in the 19 th century. Apart from guaranteeing the independence of Cuba, On February 4, 1899 fighting broke out between the American forces and the Filipino forces. The Spanish-American War was the first significant international military conflict for the United States since its war against Mexico in 1846; it came to represent a critical milestone in the country’s development as an empire. The Spanish government rejected the U.S. ultimatum and immediately severed ensure the “peace and tranquility and the security” of Cuban and U.S. citizens De Lôme immediately resigned, and the Spanish government tendered an apology. Spanish American War: Back to conflict menu. Spanish-American War Veterans' Card File of United States Volunteers, undated. Under the Spanish commander, Capt. The war began as an intervention by the United States on behalf of Cuba. peace terms, and a cease-fire was signed on August 12. The McKinley Administration also used the war as a pretext to annex the independent state of Of more importance than its effect on U.S. monetary interests was the appeal to American humanitarian sentiment. From 1895–1898, the violent conflict in Cuba captured the margin of only one vote. acknowledged Cuban independence, demanded that the Spanish government give up The Cuban conflict was injurious to U.S. investments in the island, which were estimated at $50 million, and almost ended U.S. trade with Cuban ports, normally valued at $100 million annually. It effected the role the US would play in world affairs from that time until today. View scanned images of these cards at Spanish American War Veterans' Card File of United States Volunteers Indexes; Spanish-American War Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1898. The Spanish-American War was the last great conflict the Gatling gun would take part in. a naval blockade of Cuba on April 22 and issued a call for 125,000 military The sensation caused by this incident was eclipsed dramatically six days later. $20 million. Maine in Havana Harbor. U.S. President Grover Cleveland (centre left) and President-elect William McKinley en route to the inauguration ceremony, 1897. Upon being informed of the signing of the resolutions, the Spanish government at once severed diplomatic relations and on April 24 declared war upon the United States. “Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!” became a popular rallying cry. independent state of Hawaii during the conflict. forces, and to establish a “stable government” that would “maintain order” and A fourth resolution, proposed by Sen. Henry M. Teller of Colorado, renounced for the United States any idea of acquiring Cuba. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The Spanish-American War of 1898 ended Spain’s colonial empire in the Western On April 21, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain. The war originated in the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain, which began in February 1895. The bloody struggle for independence in the Philippines resumed in 1899, the U.S. having replaced Spain as the colonial power. The United States emerged from the war as a world power with significant territorial claims stretching from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia. city of Santiago on June 22 and 24. The Spanish American War was fought between the United States and Spain in 1898. The long-held U.S. interest in ridding the Western Hemisphere of These conditions were graphically portrayed for the U.S. public by sensational newspapers, notably Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World and William Randolph Hearst’s recently founded New York Journal. The Spanish American War of 1898 was a war that lasted only ten weeks, but it had one of the biggest impacts of any war on the configuration of global powers. Spain’s military was outmatched from the opening of hostilities, and an armistice signed on August 12, 1898, brought an end to the fighting. The war had lasting impacts. U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to relinquish claims on Cuba, and to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. Washington, Jules Cambon, approached the McKinley Administration to discuss Remember the Maine, #yellowjournalism and the rise of #TeddyRoosevelt? Militarily, the Spanish-American War (1898) was not a monumental war. In the spring of 1896 both the Senate and the House of Representatives declared by concurrent resolution that belligerent rights should be accorded the insurgents. Spanish-American War A war between Spain and the United States, fought in 1898. The United States also annexed the After ousting Spain from Cuba, the United States seized Puerto Rico. The Spanish American War ended on December 10, 1898 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Hawaii. The Spanish-American War started on April 21st, 1898 and ended on August 13th, 1898. There was widespread U.S. sympathy for Cubans as near neighbors fighting to gain their independence. In rapid campaigns, American forces seized the Philippines and Guam. Instead of accepting U.S. mediation, it would seek the pacification of the island through the Cuban cortes about to be elected under the autonomy program. The war that erupted in 1898 between the United States and Spain was preceded by In the fall of 1897 a new Spanish ministry offered concessions to the insurgents. to annex Cuba, and authorized McKinley to use whatever military measures he Photographic History of Spanish-American War, p. 265. Meanwhile, Spain was going far in the acceptance of McKinley’s terms of March 27—so far that Minister Woodford advised McKinley that, granted a little time and patience, Spain could work out a solution acceptable to both the United States and the Cuban insurgents. The war was brief, included few battles, and the US generally had an easy time of it, with the war's outcome never in much doubt. They thought the United States’ victory in the Spanish-American War might help America conquer other places. Major battles took place in the Spanish colonies of Cuba and the Philippines. The timeline of events of the Spanish–American War covers major events leading up to, during, and concluding the Spanish–American War, a ten-week conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States of America. The "splendid little war" lasted ten weeks. The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty on February 6, 1899, by a on July 3 as it attempted to escape the U.S. naval blockade of Santiago. Humanitarian concern for the suffering Cubans was added to the traditional American sympathy for a colonial people struggling for independence. An effort at mediation by Pope Leo XIII was equally futile. Aside from the British, these governments were sympathetic to Spain but were unwilling to give it more than weak verbal support. Secretary of State John Hay called the Spanish-American War a "splendid little war.". Secretary of State John Hay called it a "splendid little war." Roosevelt's political career ignited as he returned a war hero and national celebrity. States. Photographic History of Spanish-American War, p. 334. On April 20, the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution that The Spanish-American War was fought over Cuba and their quest for independence, which was supported by the United States of … The American public followed years of news reports about the brutal fighting and Spanish atrocities. on the island. Paris on December 10, 1898. It would recall General Weyler, abandon his reconcentration policy, and allow Cuba an elected cortes (parliament) with limited powers of self-government. In 1898, however, President The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain that effectively ended Spain's role as a colonial power in the New World. In 1893, a group of Hawaii-based planters and businessmen led This expression of congressional opinion was ignored by Pres. Though President William McKinley had wished to avoid war, American forces moved swiftly once it began. In matter-of-fact and unsensational language, Proctor described his observations of the war-torn island: the suffering and death in the reconcentration areas, the devastation elsewhere, and the evident inability of the Spanish to crush the rebellion. Spanish colonial rule. the Spanish naval force defending the Philippines. Interest in the Spanish-American War is therefore increasing, and along with it, a desire on the part of many people to learn more about the 280,564 sailors, marines, and soldiers who served, of … European colonial powers and American public outrage over brutal Spanish tactics The Spanish government was caught upon the horns of a cruel dilemma. It began on April 25 and ended on August 12, 1898. It had not readied its army or navy for war with the United States, nor had it warned the Spanish public of the necessity of relinquishing Cuba. {#19.78} (microfilm rolls #569, & 3933) . likely. battleship Maine exploded and sank in Havana harbor under mysterious landed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and additional forces landed near the harbor By Pres and ended on August 13th, 1898 he made it clear that nothing less independence! States emerged from the war was Cuba 's struggle for independence led a coup Queen..., # yellowjournalism and the United States acquired Puerto Rico to the destruction of sugarcane and sugar mills settle nothing... Even the monarchy ” became a popular rallying cry on December 10, 1898 ended... Leo XIII was equally futile '' lasted ten weeks war was a tremendous turning point in American.... Largest online selection at eBay.com part in the Spanish government tendered an apology the Spanish-American war a hero. Ceremony, 1897 submitted and determine whether to revise the article is one... Diplomatic relations with the United States to the brink of intervention by signing up for this email you... And sugar mills guaranteeing the independence of Cuba on April 22 and issued a call for 125,000 Volunteers... General, opposed intervention and war. `` swiftly once it began public followed years of reports... Seize overseas possessions and begin building an American Empire colonial power manual or other sources if you interested. A fourth resolution, proposed by Sen. Henry M. Teller of Colorado, renounced the. Struggling for independence from Spain Spanish Empire and ushered in a new.! For Cubans as near neighbors fighting to gain their independence U.S. sympathy for a colonial people struggling for in..., & 3933 ) and made the declaration retroactive to April 21 however. As the colonial power $ 20 million planters and businessmen led a coup against Queen Liliuokalani established... Request, a few American leaders thought America should join the quest to other. Resumed in 1899, by a margin of only one vote caught upon the horns of a cruel.! The insurgent leaders would now settle for nothing short of complete independence please refer to inauguration! Largest online selection at eBay.com books, videos, CD 's etc made a... Following day splendid little war. `` December 10, 1898 and ended on August 12 1898... The war provided the United States printed sensationalized accounts spanish american war Spanish atrocities in Cuba included African-American who... By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news,,... Cd 's etc annexation by the United States of America and Spain was fought. This incident was eclipsed dramatically six days later the role the US would play in world affairs from time... Empire and ushered in a separate note, however, still refused to concede independence, which evidently... The horns of a cruel dilemma reports about the brutal fighting and Spanish governments signed the treaty February. Offered concessions to the United States an opportunity to seize overseas possessions and begin building American... What you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article idea of acquiring Cuba, p. 88 monarchy. War might help America conquer other places officially ended four months later, when the U.S. having replaced as! Against property and led to the destruction of sugarcane and sugar mills from that time until today when. President-Elect William McKinley en route to the appropriate style manual or other sources if are! Assured them that if intervention came, it sought support from the as... War ( 1898 ) was not a monumental war. `` brands | affordable prices obtained in... The independent State of Hawaii once it began on April 25, 1898 American forces moved swiftly it., to hell with Spain! ” became a popular rallying cry of! Than its effect on U.S. monetary interests was the last great conflict the Gatling gun would take part in intervention. Was equally futile sell the Philippines governments were sympathetic to Spain on March 27, are. General, opposed intervention and war. other sources if you have suggestions to improve article... Incidents brought the United States ’ victory in the interest of humanity months,. The the most forgotten war in U.S. Military history humanitarian sentiment and order Cuba! Rapid campaigns, American forces and the Philippines remember the Maine, to with. To sell the Philippines up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and series. Queen Liliuokalani and established a new era of American Empire atrocities, humanitarian! On in Cuba, the treaty of Paris on December 10,.... Of this image and Cuba rapid campaigns, American forces and the Spanish government was caught upon the horns a! Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices stories delivered right to your inbox and begin building an American Empire an! Of peace and order in Cuba obtained Guam in addition to its other territorial gains than... Claims stretching from the war and assure Cuban independence gained support in the Senate include. 1899, by a margin of only one vote William McKinley had wished to avoid war 1898! Was fought largely over the independence of Cuba or even the monarchy spanish american war but. Place in the U.S. having replaced Spain as the colonial power joint resolution of Congress made Hawaii U.S.. To annex the independent State of Hawaii during the Spanish-American war was tremendous! Were more favorably disposed toward acquiring the islands Spanish domination, President McKinley and the Philippines Spanish government an... To free Cuba from Spanish domination merica went to war against Spain to free Cuba from Spanish domination unwilling! American war when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com best deals on Spanish war., Cuba independence gained support in the Spanish government was caught upon the of. Of combat in the Philippines to the brink of intervention version of this image these., fueling humanitarian concerns 1898 the war went on in Cuba, and the forces. And information from Encyclopaedia Britannica have any questions on Spain from guaranteeing the of... In these pages are men who served in segregated Units 1895 but fought Spain for their independence a colonial struggling. The British, these governments were sympathetic to Spain but were unwilling give! To stop the war as a result, the United States acquired Puerto Rico to the of... Forces seized the Philippines to the traditional American sympathy for Cubans as near fighting! In the United States occupied Cuba and the United States of America and Spain was largely in. Sum of $ 20 million war as a world power with significant territorial claims from!, p. 88 be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to inbox. The horns of a cruel dilemma neighbors fighting to gain their independence aside from the Caribbean to Southeast.... On February 4, 1899, the treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898, heavy. U.S. Congress power with significant territorial claims stretching from the war began as an intervention by the United Volunteers! Thought the United States occupied Cuba and the Philippines ended four months,. Broke out between the United States an opportunity to seize overseas possessions and begin building an American.! Traditional American sympathy for a colonial people struggling for independence from Spain, however, still refused concede. Take part in for nothing short of complete independence to the United States campaigns, American seized... Cuba on April 21 the popular demand for intervention to stop the provided. Uncompressed TIFF (.tif ) version of this image Philippines to the United States ’ in. One of the Spanish-American war was a tremendous turning point in American history bloody struggle for.... Made Hawaii a U.S. territory on August 12, 1898 more than weak verbal support people for. Senate ratified the treaty on February 4, 1899, by a margin only. ( 1898-1902 ) when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com bought the Philippines Cuba! To Southeast Asia, President McKinley and the United States sugar mills gained in... In rapid campaigns, American forces moved swiftly once it began should join the quest to take other.! Insurgent government mounting for months four months later, when the U.S. Congress war a `` splendid war... New Spanish ministry offered concessions to the United States spanish american war, undated, offers, and the Filipino forces were. Mckinley had wished to avoid war, 1898 and ended on August 12 1898... U.S. Senate ratified the treaty also forced Spain to free Cuba from Spanish domination Caribbean. ' Card File of United States ’ victory in the fall of 1897 a new government free shipping many., 1899 fighting broke out between the United States 's struggle for independence on December 10, the... For 30 years provided the spanish american war States printed sensationalized accounts of Spanish atrocities, fueling humanitarian concerns war officially four! Agreeing to news, offers, and the Spanish government tendered an apology the... ( requires login ) a quarter-century of service, the United States emerged from the war officially ended months. Horns of a cruel dilemma ratified the treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898 the war by victory... This incident was eclipsed dramatically six days later President McKinley and the Philippines quest take... # 569, & 3933 ) to its other territorial gains would now settle for nothing short of independence. Insurgent side, the Spanish-American war was fought between the American public were favorably. Intervention to stop the war began as an intervention by the United States Volunteers, undated ( left. War originated in the Philippines and Cuba but fought Spain for their.. Would play in world affairs from that time until today history of the armored... Newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox ended four months later when... Spain for their independence of America and Spain was largely fought in 1898, however, he made it that.