Aftermath

Before the last stages of the war, President McKinley wanted to end the war peacefully. On July 18, the Spanish Ambassador in France asked if they could conduct a peace treaty with the US, in Paris, it was granted. Many of the terms were negotiated right away for example independence for Cuba and indemnity for Guam and Puerto Rico. Some anti- imperialist didn’t want the Philippians to be taken over but it was decided they would be occupied as well. All hostilities were over on August 12, 1898, but the official treaty wasn’t signed until December 10^th. The colonies were under US control except for Cuba who got their own civil government and independence on May 20, 1902. However the US imposed restrictions such as no alliances with other countries and a lease for Guantanamo Bay.  In august of 1898, Filipinos attacked the US troops that replaced the Spanish troops. The Philippine American war cost the US over four hundred million dollars.  Although the Spanish lost their colonies they were still a large producer, making steel, chemicals, textiles etc.

The war known as the splendid little only lasted four months. There were many positive outcomes. One of which was it helped to further repair the relations between the North and south, and the whites and blacks. They fought together against a common enemy, which created a sting both that was pasted down to their children. Many black soldiers gain the respect of white after fighting heroically.

The war had put the US as one of the Superpowers of the world. Stronger economy, more puppet governments, scattered military bases and the respect of taking down the Spanish Empire. 

Spanish-American war: Birth of a Superpower: part two

The US had declared Cuba under its protection, Spain refusing to give up control of Cuba and declared war, so the US army and Navy were called upon. The first battle was in Manila Bay in the Philippines, a couple US battleships, commanded by Dewey, snuck past the cannons on the shore of Manila entering the bay to find ill-equipped defense. The Spanish ships were old and almost obsolete; their cannons didn’t have the accuracy or range of the US ships. The Spanish ships knew they would be defeated so they retreated to shallow waters, so that their ships wouldn’t sink under the water line. This was an extremely moral boosting star to the war. Newspapers wrote about Dewey as a hero and about how the Spanish were defeated without a sweat and with no US casualties. There were songs written about Dewey the spread all around the US raising moral.

During the battle at Manila camps were being set up in the south for military training, and organization for the large standing army along with volunteers. Teddy Roosevelt formed a regiment of volunteers known as the Rough Riders, a group of well-trained men from hot climates created pacifically to be used to the similar climate of Cuba. The base of operations was in Florida and within a very short amount of time they were ready to ship out. After the recent Civil war President McKinley wanted to reintegrate the southern generals back into command. One of the too main general was the nephew of the confederate general Robert E Lee.

Although things were looking very good for the US there would be a few obstacles to overcome. The main were foreign diseases such as Yellow Fever and malaria. Also the terrain was much different than what many were used to from fighting the civil war. Also there would be some equipment shortage for example summer uniforms, some soldier died from heat exhaustion wearing wool clothes.

The first land based move was to land on the eastern coast, were the most Cuban rebels were positioned. It was not long before the Spanish fleet landed in Santiago, in south Cuba. The US had the dis advantage of being the attacking force, and the Spanish bases were fortified with spotlights and modern cannons and the US rifles let off black smoke when fired creating easy targets. However the US was still triumphed it all battles. For example the battle San Juan Heights, bases position atop two hills that were heavily defended.  Snipers were positioned in the trees. Another disadvantage in the US rifles give of more smoke making them easier to shoot at. Even with all these disadvantages the, after a 7 hour stalemate, the rough riders were able to get through the defenses and take the fort alone with Gatling guns, a new technology. Eighty one US soldiers died and one hundred twenty four Spanish died.

In other parts of Cuba Yellow fever and Malaria began to set on for the both US and Spanish. The rainy season was approaching so the Spanish fleet decided to make a run for it, their ships breaking out of the blockade. The last battle, the battle of Santiago, took place on July 3^rd some Spanish ships get past the blockade only to be quickly gained upon and sunk by superior guns, including far range cannons and rapid fire cannons, and superior coal and engines. The war was over.

The remaining Spanish basically surrendered and were sent back to Spain. The US replaced the government until they could sustain their own. Spain had to pay twenty million dollars to pay for the war and give up their remaining colonies, Puerto Rico and Guam. Spain was no longer a world power, and instead the US had more influence better economy and stronger military. The war is known as the splendid little war for the ease in which it was won. 

Cool video!!!- overall facts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nPGre7SbkE&feature=player_detailpage

Some Pictures!!!

Spanish American War: Birth of a Superpower- video: part I

Many histories agree that the Spanish American War was a main turning point in turning the US into a competitive and recognized world power. It began with the alleged Spanish attack on the USS Maine killing over 250 US sailors. The US public was furious wanting answers. The war was started, the US with the advantage of a superior technologically advanced navy, battleships were equipped with modern cannons, rapid fire guns and were steam powered. The Spanish equipped with superior numbers familiar terrain and diseases such as yellow fever. The war was called the "splendid little war."  

In the mid to late 1800s many in the US were eager for colonial expansion. Spain was almost bankrupted and its colonies, Cuba Philippines and Caribbean, all wanted Independence. This had the attention of the US as it was similar to the US's position before the American Revolution. There was a group in New York that organized and aided the Cuban's in getting weapons, food and tactics. At this time Cuba's economy was crumbling, the US had put a sugar tariff, decreasing the demand of Cubans main export. The Rebels were having a difficult time standing up for themselves against the Spanish army. The Spanish army would try to stop the rebels’ guerrilla warfare by destroying farmers crops, hoping there would be no food for the resistance, 400,000 people had ben killed or starved to death because of this. Spain was very protective over Cuba and was willing to fall into a civil war before giving it up. 

When debating whether or not the US should get involved the topics came up that the US had a much smaller standing army, usually relying on men to volunteer during war times, had one sixth the amount of soldiers. However they did have much superior technology. The US also wanted the Cuba and the Caribbean islands as Naval Bases, believing that it was a vital part in becoming a world power. 

The US government did not want war, and was leaning towards not getting involved until one unexpected event. In the night the USS Maine was sunk by an unexplained explosion killing two thirds of the crew. This caused an instant uproar in the public and newspapers. Even though it was a strong possibility that the explosion was due to an accident and was a common occurrence, popular newspapers were saying that the Spanish did it. Soon afterward a team of investigators concluded that in was likely a mine that caused the explosion and 50,000,000 dollars was given to the military. 

The US demanded Spain to leave and give Cuba its Independence one last time, when Spain declined the US formed a blockage of battleships between Cuba and Spain, declaring Cuba under its protection.

Opinion: The US's growing industry, technology and political views were the main contributors to the decision to inter the war. The US was in the position to make a stand as a growing leader of the world. The US wanted to start to stand up for the rights of other cultures, like they had in the American Revolution and the rights for African Americans, spreading the beliefs of the founding fathers to the world.

In the steps to becoming a world power, gaining colonies is an important contributor. With more control around the world, comes more responsibility and influence in making world decisions. Also with military outpost there is more control. At that point although getting into the war was somewhat risky it was the best opportunity to gain more influence in world relations. 

The last factor in the decision to start a war was the attitude of the American public. They were furious after the supposed sabotage of the USS Maine, that they pressured the government in their decision. I believe that they acted harshly and too quickly for the lack of evidence that supported the idea of sabotage. The idea to enter a war should not be based on public rumors that escalate to beliefs that will kill many Spanish soldiers. 

  

  

Leading to the Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American war was a ten week conflict, fought on the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, between the US and Spain. It was pressured to happen because of the neglect on Cuba by the Spaniards. The US declared war not only to help the oppressed Cubans but also to expand.

Near the beginning of the 20^th century there were many expansionists in America, wanting to reach out to other continents on the other side of the pacific. This had been a goal for the US for several years, the last couple presidents had offered to buy Cuba from Spain. In 1868 the people of Cuba started trying for their independence. Ten years later Spain promised an increased economy, but did not deliver. Spain did not want to lose Cuba for it was a valuable part of their economy and the political stability.

the US did not respond right away but instead was reluctant to get involved, however newspapers started running stories, saying that the Catholic Spanish empire was backward and the union was built on enslaved natives and stolen gold. By 1895 there was a second revolt by the Cuba’s. At this time over 90 percent of Cuba’s export were to the US, including sugar, cattle, mining and tobacco. Spain set 278,000 troops to stop the rebelling, nearly 50,000 died of yellow fever by 1898. A force of 30,000 fought against this army using guerrilla warfare. Through re-concentration Spanish soldiers attempted to put an end to the revolution but destroying the crops that fed the rebels. The US was very upset by this uncivil and illegal strategy. Journalists continued to print comics and article about these crimes, which fueled public outrage.

Urged by the press for military action president William McKinley sent the battle ship maine, hoping that just its presence would stop the violence. However the Maine exploded in the Havana harbor. After a month of speculation a naval investigator blamed the exposition on the Spanish. Soon after this, McKinley again asked Spain to give independence to Cuba, and when Spain did not agree, the president got approval for the Teller amendment from congress, stating that military force would be used to put the Cuban citizens in control of their government.

Sources:   

•  http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3617.html
• Visions of America by Keene Cornell O'donnell

introducing myself

Hello fellow bloggers, my name is Maxim Mascolo. i was born in Canada moved to Sedona, AZ when i was six and now i go to Verde Valley School. my class and i were assigned to research a topic, post civil war, and blog about our findings. two options that im interested in the moment are the Spanish-American War and  the origins of the Cold War. i find the Spanish American War the most interesting because it was quite short, the US were involved in Cuba acquiring their independence. ironclads, a relatively new technology, were an important tactical aspect. i don't know much about the cold war but i figure a good place to start are its origins. the US attempt to not allow Stalin to become the next Hitler, and introduce capitalism and democracy to the world, were two very courageous ideas to fight for.