Timeline of the Spanish-American War - Lecture 4.a (a.k.a 5a)

Why this War?

The was was initiated due to pressures urged on by reporters of yellow journalism. This led William McKinley, after all hopes and trials for peace, to go to war with Spain in order to take control over the aftermath of Cuba as they were wanting to conquer Cuba themselves.

Before the War (More Wars)

Before the Spanish-American war in 1898 was other major conflict, surrounding the United States and other involved parties, the tension leading up to the start of the Spanish-American war.

→ The name itself, Spanish-American War, is unrepresentative of the actual conflicts that arose, rather it was conflict between multiple parties and stakeholders than just the two states mentioned.

The 1820’s saw major loss in colonies from the Spanish Empire, and any territories that remained were struggling to gain independence. Later from 1861 to 1865, was the US Civil War. This was between slave states in the south who wanted slavery to be abolished and free states in the north, ending with the northern states occupying and increasing the slave trade in the south.

“A Splendid Little War”

As John Hay, US Ambassador to the UK (and future Secretary of State), at the time mentioned, the Spanish-American War was deemed something of entertainment and had joyous engagement from the public from witnessing U.S’s grandeur against the Spaniards, calling it “…a splendid little war.”. However, the actual historical timeline proves to be more realistic and actually representative of the time.

The timeline is as follows:

→ Feb 15th:

  • While in the Havana Harbour, the USS MAINE sinks due to an explosion

→ May 01st:

  • Manila Bay, Philippines experienced an attack from the US Navy

→ June 10th:

  • Guantánamo Bay, Cuba sees arrival and landing of US marines.

→ July 01st:

  • The Rough Riders, a voluntary calvary / military regiment started by Theodore Roosevelt, joined the US military forces in Cuba for the Battle of San Juan Hill.

→ December 10th:

  • The Treaty of Paris is signed by Spain and the United States, without the involvement of Cuba, Guam, Philippines, and Puerto Rico

Aftermath (More War)

Despite the ending of the Spanish-American war in 1898, more war was to follow as the U.S government was struggling to maintain and keep control of its new territories it gained.

This led to the U.S occupying Cuba for four years until 1902, while Cuba fought for its independence and ended up winning that battle. While the U.S troops were in Cuba, the Platt Amendment was established ensuring that Cuba could not maintain any of its own sovereignty until the U.S gave them the ‘all-clear’ to. The Cuban Constitution was reformed to follow the seven stipulations that the Platt Amendment called for so U.S could still keep control.

Even the Philippines were not able to gain independence due to the constant wars between the Filipinos and the Americans, going on from 1899 to 1902 and then new conflict arose from 1902 to 1913.

Still, to this day, Guam and Puerto Rico are under U.S control and considered U.S territory.