Spanish–American War

Lore & Background

The war represented U.S. intervention in the Cuban War of Independence and the Philippine Revolution. The U.S. blockaded Cuba on April 21, and both sides declared war. Key battles included the destruction of the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay on May 1, the Battles of El Caney and San Juan Hill on July 1, and the capture of Santiago de Cuba on July 17. Guam surrendered without resistance on June 20, and U.S. troops landed on Puerto Rico on July 25, with fighting continuing until an armistice on August 13.

Reader's Guide

The Spanish–American War marked a decisive shift in global power. Spain's defeat ended nearly four centuries of its colonial presence, while the United States gained island possessions across the globe, becoming a major world power. The war provoked rancorous debate over the wisdom of expansionism. In Spain, the loss caused a profound national shock and led to the philosophical and artistic reevaluation known as the Generation of '98. The war also set the stage for the Philippine–American War. protectorate.

Did You Know?

• The war began with the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor by a mysterious explosion.
• The war ended almost four centuries of Spanish presence in the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific.
• The conflict provoked rancorous debate in the U.S. over the wisdom of expansionism.