The Spanish-American War of 1898 was a transformative conflict that saw the United States emerge as a colonial power. Driven by economic interests, political pressures, and the explosion of the USS Maine, the war led to the liberation of Cuba and the acquisition of territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Key battles such as Santiago Bay and San Juan Hill, and the influence of yellow journalism, played significant roles in the war's outcome and the subsequent shift in global power dynamics.
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The United States had significant investments in Cuba, including in the sugarcane industry and a telegraph system
Cuban Independence Movement
The United States supported Cuban aspirations for independence from Spanish colonial rule
USS Maine Incident
The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor sparked public outrage and demands for action against Spain
The sinking of the USS Maine served as a catalyst for the Spanish-American War
Sensationalized reporting by newspapers such as those owned by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer contributed to the surge in support for military intervention against Spain
Yellow journalism exaggerated and distorted events in Cuba, portraying the Cuban rebellion as a noble fight against Spanish oppression
Significant battles included the naval victory in Santiago Bay and the land battle at San Juan Hill, where Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders gained fame
The U.S. Navy, led by Commodore George Dewey, secured a decisive victory at the Battle of Manila Bay, signaling the collapse of Spanish naval power in the region
The United States emerged as a major colonial power and gained territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific, marking a transformation in its global role
Spain's defeat resulted in the relinquishment of its last colonies in the Western Hemisphere and the Pacific, significantly reducing its imperial footprint
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Main catalyst for the Spanish-American War
Sinking of the USS Maine prompted US intervention.
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US territorial gains post-war
US acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
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Cuban struggle for independence
Cuban fight against Spanish rule began in 1868, US supported in 1898.
