Spanish-American+War

toc Cameron Gray =**Spanish-American War**=

The Spanish-American War was a military conflict between Spain and the United States that started in April,1898 and ended on August 12, 1898. American's wanted Cuba to be free and they set their sights on some of Spain's other colonies including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The war was halted by the Treaty of Paris. Even though it was a short war, it played a major part in the American history.

Before the War
Before the war the United States was still recovering from the Civil War. The Cubans were struggling to get their own independence. In 1895, Cuba began an armed uprising against Spanish authority. In 1896, General Valeriano Weyler was governor of Cuba. He had a lot of power. Journalists such as William Randolph Hearst stirred up public support for Cuban independence in the United States, even though Spain did not want to go war with the USA.

The USS Maine
The USS Maine is an important ship. It was sent to Havana on January 25th as a demonstration of American power. She was only there for a month but, at 9:40 PM on February 15,1898, the USS Maine sank in the Havana harbor after a serious explosion. As a result, 266 men died. Some think the Spanish caused the explosion, and some say that it was a mine that sank it. But what ever it was, this meant war for the United States. "Remember the Maine" became a rallying cry for war with Spain

Manila Bay
When the USS Maine sank, the United States declared war on Spain. The Battle of Manila Bay was the first important battle of the Spanish American War. It was not fought in Cuba but rather in the far east on the Spanish-held Philippine Islands.

At the time, the United States had a naval squadron stationed in Hong Kong, China, under the Commodore Goerge Dewey. When war was declared, Dewey's ships sailed for instant action. He was ordered earlier to prepare for battle by Theodore Roosevelt, the assistant Secretary of the Navy. Dewey's fleet entered Manila Bay on the night of April 30. Early the next morning Dewey, the captain of the Olympia, gave the famous command, " You may fire when ready". The American fleet far outgunned the Spainish warships guarding Manila. By noon the Spainish fleet had been smashed. Not one American was killed.

Theodore Roosevelt
The War in Cuba did not begin as quickly. Theodore Roosevelt decided to resign as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Although he was 40, Roosevelt announced that he would organize a regiment and go off to fight in Cuba. He was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the First Volunteer Calvary. Roosevelt's call for volunteers brought forth no fewer than 23,000 applicants. Some were cowboys, and some were American Indians, some athletes, and some policemen.

The Capture of Santiago
In mid June, 17,000 men boarded a ship in Tampa. There was incredible confusion. Many of the men lost contact with their units. Fear of being left behind, dozens simply climbed aboard whatever ship they could find. At least the expedition managed to set sail. American strategy called for an attack on Santiago. A ship commanded by General William R. Shafter, landed at Daiquiri. Once ashore, the men began their advance. The Spanish put up a stiff resistance. The Rough Riders and African American soldiers of the ninth Calvary took San Juan Hill by storm on July 1st. In this battle Colonel Roosevelt seemed to have no care for his own safety. He galloped back and forth along the line, urging his men forward. He was not injured. Many of his men were not so fortunate. After the capture of San Juan Hill, the American artillery could be moved within range of Santiago Harbor. In the end, on July 16, the Spanish army commander surrendered Santiago. A few days later another American force completed the occupation of the Spanish island of Puerto Rico, about 500 miles east of Cuba. The Spanish American War was over.

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Major Walter Reed
More soildiers died from the Yellow Fever than in battles. Major Walter Reed had led a group of doctors who worked and eventually found a way of controlling the disease. It was found that yellow fever was spread by mosquitoes. Major Reed's work was just as important as any military victory.

**The Peace Treaty**
On July 30, 1898 President McKinley issued to Spain the terms for peace. Cuba must receive its freedom. The United States also wanted Guam, Puerto Rico, and wanted the United States to control the Philippines until its future could be determined at a Peace Conference. The United States was asking for much more than the original aim of the war, which was the independence of Cuba. Since Spain could do little, they were forced to accept these terms. In the fall of 1898, representatives from the United States and Spain met in paris to negotiate the official Peace Treaty. This treaty would have to be submitted to the Senate for approval before it could be accepted. The Spanish representative agreed to give Cuba its independence and to turn Puerto Rico and Guam over to the United States. The Spaniards objected to giving the Philippines to the United States. So the US paid Spain twenty million dollars for the Philippinnes. This Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898.