4.1 The Spanish-American War and Its Aftermath
3 min read•august 6, 2024
The of 1898 marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy. Fueled by and struggles, the conflict led to America's emergence as a global power. The war's aftermath reshaped the Caribbean and Pacific, with the U.S. gaining control of former Spanish colonies.
The war's consequences extended beyond territorial gains. In Cuba, the U.S. established a protectorate, while in the Philippines, American acquisition sparked a bloody resistance. These events set the stage for increased in Latin America and the Caribbean in the early 20th century.
Causes of the Spanish-American War
Tensions between the United States and Spain
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- The Spanish-American War, fought in 1898, was a conflict between the United States and Spain that emerged from American support for Cuba's independence from Spanish colonial rule
- American public opinion turned against Spain due to reports of Spanish atrocities committed against the Cuban people, such as the use of concentration camps and brutal suppression of the Cuban independence movement
- The , an American battleship sent to Havana to protect U.S. interests, mysteriously exploded and sank in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898, killing 266 American sailors
- The cause of the explosion was never determined, but American newspapers and public opinion blamed Spain, further escalating tensions
Media influence and American intervention
- Yellow Journalism, a sensationalistic style of reporting that exaggerated and sometimes fabricated stories to increase newspaper sales, played a significant role in shaping American public opinion and drumming up support for war with Spain
- Newspaper publishers and competed for readers by publishing sensational stories about Spanish atrocities in Cuba (Hearst's New York Journal and Pulitzer's New York World)
- The , passed by the U.S. Congress in April 1898, declared that the United States would not annex Cuba after the war and would leave the island's government and control to its people
- This amendment aimed to assure the Cuban people and the international community that the U.S. intervention was motivated by a desire to help Cuba gain independence rather than territorial expansion
Results of the Spanish-American War
Treaty of Paris and territorial changes
- The Treaty of Paris (1898), signed on December 10, 1898, officially ended the Spanish-American War
- Under the terms of the treaty, Spain relinquished control of Cuba, ceded , , and the to the United States, and sold the Caroline Islands, the Mariana Islands, and the Palau Islands to Germany
- Puerto Rico became an unincorporated territory of the United States as a result of the Treaty of Paris
- This status meant that Puerto Ricans were granted but did not have full constitutional rights and representation in the U.S. government
U.S. influence in Cuba
- Although the Teller Amendment had promised Cuban independence, the United States established a protectorate over Cuba following the war
- The U.S. military occupied Cuba from 1898 to 1902, overseeing the island's transition to independence and shaping its political and economic systems
- The , passed by the U.S. Congress in 1901 and incorporated into the Cuban Constitution of 1901, gave the United States the right to intervene in Cuban affairs to preserve its independence and maintain stability
- The amendment also granted the U.S. a perpetual lease on the , which remains under U.S. control to this day
The Philippine-American War
U.S. acquisition of the Philippines and Filipino resistance
- The Treaty of Paris (1898) transferred control of the Philippine Islands from Spain to the United States for $20 million
- This acquisition marked the beginning of in the Philippines, which lasted until 1946
- The , also known as the Filipino-American War, was a conflict between the United States and Filipino revolutionaries that lasted from 1899 to 1902
- Filipino revolutionaries, led by , had been fighting for independence from Spain and expected to gain sovereignty after the Spanish-American War
- However, when the U.S. acquired the Philippines through the Treaty of Paris, Aguinaldo and his followers launched a war of resistance against American colonial rule
- The conflict resulted in the deaths of over 4,200 American soldiers and an estimated 20,000 to 200,000 Filipino combatants and civilians
- The war ended with the U.S. successfully suppressing the Filipino resistance and establishing control over the islands (Moro Rebellion continued until 1913)
Key Terms to Review (18)
American Colonial Rule: American colonial rule refers to the period during which the United States exerted political, economic, and military control over territories acquired after the Spanish-American War in 1898. This rule marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, transforming the nation from a continental power to an overseas imperial power, influencing its relationships with newly acquired territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The implications of this shift included debates over governance, citizenship, and the role of American values in shaping the future of these territories.
Cuban Independence: Cuban independence refers to the struggle for sovereignty by the Cuban people against Spanish colonial rule, culminating in the successful establishment of a sovereign state after the Spanish-American War in 1898. This conflict not only marked a turning point in Cuba's political landscape but also signified the end of Spanish colonialism in the Americas and established the United States as a significant influence in the Caribbean region.
Emilio Aguinaldo: Emilio Aguinaldo was a Filipino revolutionary leader and politician who played a significant role in the Philippine struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule and later against American imperialism. He became the first President of the Philippines and is known for his leadership during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War, where he sought to establish a sovereign nation free from foreign control.
Guam: Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean, and it became a key player during the Spanish-American War. Its strategic position allowed the U.S. to gain a foothold in the Pacific, significantly influencing military and political dynamics in the region following the war.
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base: Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is a U.S. military facility located on the southeastern coast of Cuba, established in the late 19th century. Its strategic location has made it significant for U.S. military operations and political interests in the Caribbean, particularly after the Spanish-American War, which resulted in the U.S. gaining control over Cuba and its territories.
Joseph Pulitzer: Joseph Pulitzer was a Hungarian-American newspaper publisher known for establishing the modern model of journalism in the late 19th century. He played a pivotal role in the rise of yellow journalism, a style that emphasized sensationalism, eye-catching headlines, and investigative reporting, particularly during the period leading up to the Spanish-American War and its aftermath.
Philippine Islands: The Philippine Islands are a group of over 7,000 islands located in Southeast Asia, known for their rich cultural heritage and diverse ecosystems. They became a significant focus during the Spanish-American War as the U.S. sought to expand its influence in the Pacific, leading to a pivotal shift in both American and Filipino history.
Philippine-American War: The Philippine-American War was a conflict that lasted from 1899 to 1902 between the United States and Filipino revolutionaries who sought independence after the Spanish-American War. Following the U.S. acquisition of the Philippines from Spain, tensions escalated as Filipinos opposed American colonization, leading to a brutal conflict marked by guerrilla warfare and significant civilian casualties.
Platt Amendment: The Platt Amendment was a legislative provision enacted in 1901 that stipulated conditions for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Cuba after the Spanish-American War. It allowed the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs and required Cuba to sell or lease land for U.S. naval stations, significantly impacting Cuban sovereignty and relations with the U.S.
Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico is an island territory of the United States located in the Caribbean Sea, which became a significant focal point during the Spanish-American War. Following the war in 1898, Puerto Rico was ceded to the U.S. from Spain, resulting in profound changes in its political status, economy, and cultural identity. This transition marked the beginning of Puerto Rico's complex relationship with the United States and highlighted issues of colonialism and self-determination.
Spanish-American War: The Spanish-American War was a conflict between Spain and the United States in 1898 that resulted in the U.S. gaining control over former Spanish territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This war marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving towards imperialism and influencing subsequent relations with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Teller Amendment: The Teller Amendment was a provision added to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain in 1898, asserting that the United States would not annex Cuba after the war. This amendment sought to alleviate concerns that the U.S. was pursuing imperialistic ambitions in the Caribbean following the Spanish-American War. By stating that the U.S. would respect Cuban sovereignty, it aimed to justify American intervention as a means of liberating rather than colonizing the island.
Treaty of Paris 1898: The Treaty of Paris 1898 was an agreement that ended the Spanish-American War, signed on December 10, 1898. This treaty marked a significant shift in global power dynamics, as it resulted in Spain relinquishing control of its overseas colonies, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, to the United States, thereby establishing the U.S. as a colonial power.
U.S. Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is a legal status that grants individuals the rights and privileges associated with being a member of the United States, including the right to vote, work, and reside in the country without restriction. This status can be acquired either by birth within U.S. territory, through U.S. citizen parents, or via the naturalization process for immigrants. The implications of U.S. citizenship were particularly significant following events like the Spanish-American War, which led to territorial expansions and raised questions about the citizenship status of newly acquired populations.
U.S. Interventionism: U.S. interventionism refers to the foreign policy approach where the United States actively engages in the affairs of other countries, often through military, economic, or political means, to influence outcomes in favor of its interests. This strategy became especially prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the Spanish-American War marking a significant turning point, as it led to U.S. territorial expansion and the establishment of American influence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
USS Maine: The USS Maine was an American battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba, on February 15, 1898, leading to widespread public outrage and becoming a catalyst for the Spanish-American War. The incident was fueled by rising tensions between the United States and Spain over Cuban independence, and the explosion was used as a rallying cry for war, symbolizing American imperial aspirations and interventionist policies in Latin America.
William Randolph Hearst: William Randolph Hearst was an American newspaper publisher who played a crucial role in the development of sensationalist journalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His media empire, which included newspapers, magazines, and radio stations, greatly influenced public opinion and political discourse, particularly during the time surrounding the Spanish-American War.
Yellow Journalism: Yellow journalism refers to a sensationalist style of newspaper reporting that emphasizes exaggeration and scandal, often at the expense of factual accuracy. This practice emerged in the late 19th century and played a critical role in shaping public opinion and influencing political events, particularly during the lead-up to and aftermath of the Spanish-American War.