The Causes, Effects, and the Course of the Spanish-American War

Last Updated: 24 Apr 2023
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The Spanish-American War was the fight for the independence of Cuba which ended with great success for the United States in achieving its foreign policy goals. This war was the first and biggest step that the United States took toward Imperialism The war was mainly stained because of Cuba’s struggle for independence. The sinking of the USS. Maine is an important part of history because it served as a cause of the war. Due to the sinking of the USS Maine, United State was forced to enter the war on public demand which was raised due to yellow journalism. Yellow journalism is a newspaper that writes about the condition of people in Cuba after the U.S.S. Maine explosion and raises empathy for Cuba.

In the battle of Santiago de Cuba, near Santiago de Cuba which is situated in Cuba, Spain surrendered in front of the United States, accepting that they lose in the war by signing the Treaty of Paris. The war ended Spanish colonial rule in America and resulted in the acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. Spain loses it control over its overseas empire- Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines Island, Guam. Even, Spain transferred the sovereignty over the Philippines to the United States for $20,000,000. Cuba ended with their independence and the United States ended with a major victory in its first overseas battle and emerges as a new world power. Spanish- American War is also known as the “Splendid Little War” as it is a very small war which lasts for eight months from April 25, 1898, to December 10, 1898.

One of the main cause of Spanish»American War was sinking of the USS. Maine. The explosion at Cuba’s Havana Harbor was a massive and mysterious explosion that sank the battleship of the USS Maine taken place on February 15, 1898. It this mysterious explosion, 266 enlisted men were killed which also includes two officers. Maine was the first United States naval ship to have its power plant given the highest priority which is given to its fighting strength. The United States also needed bases and coaling stations for acquiring overseas for shutting down foreign markets of Europeans. For that Havana, in Cuba was the best port for the United States, In 1898, Cuba was a part of the Spanish colonies, but Cuba was in the midst of the revolution.

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The Cuban rose in rebellion against Spain, which had been in control of the island since the 15005 During this 18005, many people of Cuba had express to desired for self-government A revolutionary group largely made up of poor whites, free blacks and slaves demanded independence from Spain, the establishment of a republic, and the end of slavery. The Cuban revolt against Spain for free and independent Cuba Cuba was in the eye sights of the United States as it was coming under economic influence American business interests in Cuba because it is a good place to invest for economic profits. In the 1890s, Americans investments in Cuba‘s sugar plantations resulted in profit of millions of dollars. American investors were, therefore, nervous about the island’s political instability (History Alive). Therefore, American battleship- Maine dropped anchor in the Havana harbor to protect American people's interests and standards who were living in Cuba.

Many Americans regarded the Spanish as oppressive ruler and supported the Cubans in their struggle (StudyModecom) In 1898, the McKinley Administration created a naval board of inquiry to study the cause of the blast happened at Havana Board. On March 21, the board concluded with everyone agreement that the destruction of the ship was caused “only by the explosion of a mine situated under the bottom of the ship,” They even predicted that the ship had been destroyed by an external explosion in a magazine containing ammunition. In the conclusion, the board reported that the ship was destroyed by an external mine, which was also known as magazine explosion. On the other side, the Spanish were on their words that the explosion has been the result of a malfunction aboard the ship but Americans were convinced that Maine had been destroyed by the Spanish for military and political advantage.

Due to illustrious public pressure, McKinley asked Congress to get involve in the war against Spaint Congress passed a resolution, which include a formal statement about a course of exertion, recognizing Cuban independence and permit military force Thus, this mysterious explosion gave a spark to Spanish—American War. Yellow Journalism originated by two publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst in the New York City newspaper market, It extended to the sensationalist style employed by the two publishers in their profit-driven coverage of world events. In their struggle to attract readers, the two “Yellow Papers” developed an amplify style of reporting, and this scandalous news soon became known as yellow journalism. Yellow journalism is a type of newspaper that presents little or no authorized properly researched news and instead uses dramatic headlines for more profit, Hearst and Pulitzer took more attention of the readers to the Cuban struggle for independence against Spanish.

They complete their print with bold headlines, cartoons and creative drawings of events which sold a lot of papers and make a name of yellow journalism recognized in the whole United States. The peak was reached in early 1898 for yellow journalism, when the United States battleship, U.S.S. Maine, sunk in Havana Harbor, The initial report of the colonial government of Cuba concluded that the explosion had occurred at the board, but Pulitzer and Hearst, who had been selling newspaper fame and strength by the anti-Spanish public opinion in the United States, published rumors of plans to sink the ships The news of the mysterious explosion created a feeling of sympathy for Cubans and raise their voice and assert the American government to enter within the war However, United State wants to stay neutral in this war due to the Virginius Affair.

Virginius Affair was an ex—confederate blockade runner that was used by Cubans rebel and their Americans participation during the Ten Years Wart When Spanish authorities captured the vessel and executed some of its crew members which include the United States and the United Kingdom. Due to this Virginius Affair, the United States did not get involved in the starting of the wart Pulitzer and Hearst had often mentioned the United States as the cause of terrible conditions in Cuba which catch eyes of Americans citizens Hearst often quoted the statement-” You furnish the picture, I will provide the war! " During the influences of yellow journalism and the American people were going on, the Zimmerman note was deciphered from the secret diplomatic communication when the yellow journalism published the news of telex on March 1, 1898.

The Zimmerman was the final cause after which the United States get involved in the war: Thus, yellow journalism plays a great role in the involvement of the United States in the war, The last battle where the Spanish-American War came to end is the Battle of Santiago de Cuba The Battle of Santiago de Cuba, concluding naval engagement, near Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, of the Spanish-American War, which sealed the United States victory over the Spaniards (Britannicatcom) This battle resulted in the complete victory of the United States in the war, even brings power at overseas, and complete destruction of Spanish. Spanish- American war had begun at the Philippines which was the largest Spain’s colony, Spain was preparing for war at the Philippines before two months of the war.

Further, the war moves to Cuba, where the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. The Spanish government had sent off the fleet under Cervera to defend Cuba but Cervera was not against taking this move and prefer to engage Americans near the Canary Islands because the United States Navy would not fail to track the coastal metropolitan areas. After engaging the American in the Canary Islands, Cervera arrived at Santiago de Cuba, Due to the attempt of a sudden start of Santiago Cuba in the Southern part of Cuba, Spanish Admiral six’s ships were obstructed by Americans ships and cruisers When the Spanish stayed in the mines and shore battery, they were protected because it was not possible to attack them over there but also they could not attack Americans squadron. However, the progress ofAmericans land forces brought the risk for Admiral Pascual Cervera ships at risk from the shore.

To support the operation, the American government had send United States troops, which also include Rough Riders- a volunteer cavalry, leaving the ship in the east of the city and penetrated its outer defenses. Meanwhile, on May 1, far away from Cavite in the Philippine, an American fleet sank at anchor, the Spanish Pacific fleet. On May 11, Admiral Sampson arrived at San Juan. After all this, between July 1 and 3, they completed their attack on San Juan Ridge by capturing its highest point, San Juan Hill. The rest of the war went so fast that it was coming to its end. The American navy destroyed the Spanish squadron as it tried to leave Santiago harbort On July 17, Spain surrendered at Santiago. In the next weeks after the surrendered of Spain, the American navy seize Puerto Rico.

Seeing no prospect of success, Spain accepted to sign a peace settlement on August 12, Cervera lost all the six of his ships, as well as 323 killed and 151 wounded. Also, approximately 70 officers, including Admiral Cervera, and 1,500 were taken to the prison. Thus, the Spanish-American War came to an end with the Battle of Santiago de Cuba after four months. With the end of the war, a new beginning in the world was started. The Spanish- American war Cuban got the victory in their fight for independence and regain political self- government staged a rise that resulted in the ten-year war between colonies and colonists. The United States became the first world power and get control of overseas and became victorious after a series of vital battles in Cuba and the Pacific Ocean.

On July 18, the Spanish government requested the ministration of France in arranging a closing of hostilities. Armistice negotiations conducted in Washington ended with the signing of a peace protocol which was the first draft of a treaty of being submitted for ratification, On December 10, the United States and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris. In the Treaty of Paris, Spain agreed to free Cuba and to cede the islands Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States (Khanacademyorg). Even, Spain transferred sovereignty over the Philippines to the United States for $20,000,000. The United States forced Cubans to recognize American control in their new Constitution.

For the consequence of the Treaty of Paris, the Senate Debate over Treaty took place in which Senate would have to ratify the treaty by a two»thirds vote The debate over the treaty rampage not only in the Senate, but also across the whole United States In opposition, leading opponents form the Anti-Imperialist League- an organization formed during the war to oppose the establishment of the United States colonies, The Senate debate raged for a month, in the end, supporters of the empire won out. The Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris on February 6, 1899.

Cuban agreed with the Platt Amendment- in which American government will give money for reconstruction and building up the economy of Cuba back, Cuban agreed to permit American diplomatic, economic, and intervention and even lease Guantanamo Bay for American user The victorious United States emerged from the war a world power with far-flung overseas possession and a new stake in the international politics that would soon lead it to play a determining role in the affairs of Europe Thus, Spanish- American War brings independence for Cuba from Spain colonies and the United States achieve great success in achieving foreign policies by becoming the first world power and getting control over the Philippines and diplomatic, and economic control in Cuba.

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The Causes, Effects, and the Course of the Spanish-American War. (2023, Apr 24). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-causes-effects-and-the-course-of-the-spanish-american-war/

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