In the 1890s, the US wanted to send a message to Europe that they were a force to be reckoned with. Spain still controlled some territory in the Western Hemisphere since the time of the Spanish conquest, including but not limited to: The Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Since Cuba is so close to the US coast, it was seen as a threat to American independence, as well as a chip on America’s shoulder by many citizens. The “Yellow Press,” which is a term for news sources that slightly alter or outright fabricate stories to fit their agenda, were able to spin the the act of declaring war on Span as a means of liberating the Cubans from Spanish colonial rule. This calmed people who were anti-war, and anti-US imperialism, and made it seem like going to war with Spain was a good idea. As tensions rose between Spain and the US, the USS Maine blew up off the coast of Cuba, on February 15, 1898. Although this may have been an accident, or not directly linked to Spain, the press spun it into a rallying cry against Spain. The US sent an ultimatum to Spain on the 20th of February, which Spain refused. A few months later, on April 23, Spain declared war on the US, and two days later the US responded in kind.
The entire war lasted less than a year, with the first battle on May 1, 1898 in, the the Philippines. Notable events were the landing of US troops on Cuba on June 22, which led to the famous Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, a pivotal victory for the US. Not long afterwards, the US forces destroyed the Spanish fleet off of Santiago Bay, Cuba on July 3. Less than a month later, the Spanish surrender on July 17th, and by August 12th the Protocol of Peace was signed, officially ending the war. A large portion of the fighting in Cuba was done by local rebel movements supported and backed by the US government. This meant that the US had little to lose in human life, but new territory to gain. The Cuban-led resistance fighters took most of the major landmarks in Cuba, which did not sit well with the US and Spain. Thus, the US, receiving surrender of the Spanish, staged mock battles between the surrender and the signing of the Protocol of Peace.
This war was one of the major events that secured a spot for the US as a major superpower. The US still has territories as a result of this war, which include Guam and Puerto Rico, but Cuba, and the Philippines have since gained independence.
The entire war lasted less than a year, with the first battle on May 1, 1898 in, the the Philippines. Notable events were the landing of US troops on Cuba on June 22, which led to the famous Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, a pivotal victory for the US. Not long afterwards, the US forces destroyed the Spanish fleet off of Santiago Bay, Cuba on July 3. Less than a month later, the Spanish surrender on July 17th, and by August 12th the Protocol of Peace was signed, officially ending the war. A large portion of the fighting in Cuba was done by local rebel movements supported and backed by the US government. This meant that the US had little to lose in human life, but new territory to gain. The Cuban-led resistance fighters took most of the major landmarks in Cuba, which did not sit well with the US and Spain. Thus, the US, receiving surrender of the Spanish, staged mock battles between the surrender and the signing of the Protocol of Peace.
This war was one of the major events that secured a spot for the US as a major superpower. The US still has territories as a result of this war, which include Guam and Puerto Rico, but Cuba, and the Philippines have since gained independence.