The Spanish American War, Research Paper Example

The Spanish American war was fought between Spain and the United States in 1898. Spain was still trying to hang on to colonial power and particularly so in the Pacific and Caribbean theatres. In particular that of Cuba which it saw as a major trading partner and province of Spain. The conflict came to a head when the Battleship Maine was sunk in mysterious circumstances in the Cuban port of Havana. “In the Spanish-American War, the US laid the foundation for its leadership role in WW II (and WW I), the Cold War, and beyond. It was the SAW which provided international recognition of the US as a great power.” (Dean, 2001).

Cuba held great esteem in the eyes of the Spaniards and they considered Havana as similar to their port of Barcelona. In addition to being a major trading partner they saw Cuba as a conduit of power and influence over the other Caribbean Islands where it held influence. When the war broke out it was over a number of different geographic areas. The conflict ended Spain as a colonial power. In 1898 the Battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines saw American forces engaging the Spaniards and Commodore George Dewey, commanding the US Naval fleet won a decisive victory. In Guam on June 20^th 1898 the US Cruiser Charleston was instrumental in conducting a simple action that resulted in the Spanish Governor surrendering the Island.

The Battles and conflicts in Cuba was unleashed as both land and sea campaigns. This was the time when Roosevelt was a Colonel in the “rough riders “and won notable victories at the Battle of El Cancey and Battle of San Juan Hill. The navy engaged in the big battle of Santiago de Cuba which it launched from Guantanamo Bay on July 3^rd 1898.  “On April 29, Spanish admiral Pascual Cervera left the Cape Verde Islands with four cruisers and three destroyers, turning up in Santiago de Cuba where the U.S. Navy put the Spanish fleet under a blockade”. (US History, 2010).  The subsequent attack destroyed 5 of the 6 Spanish warships and the sixth was scuttled by the Spanish before the American navy could catch up with it.

“The Spanish-American War (April-July 1898) was a brief, intense conflict that effectively ended Spain’s worldwide empire and gained the United States several new possessions in the Caribbean and the Pacific”. (Naval Historical Society, 1998)

Works Cited

Dean, S. E. (2001). The Spanish – American War. Retrieved 10 19, 2010, from ALHN Military: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/spanamerwar/

Naval Historical Society. (1998, 10 16). Spanish American War. Retrieved 19 2010, 10, from Naval Historical Society: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/spanam/eve-pge.htm

US History. (2010). Spanish-American War . Retrieved 10 19, 2010, from US History: http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3617.html