The Spanish-American War
Background


Cuba, 1895: Forces
led by Máximo Gómez
engage in guerilla
warfare against
Spanish.
Seek to gain Cuban
independence or
provoke U.S.
intervention.
Spanish Response

Spanish Governor
General Valeriano
Weyler removes rural
population into camps


Thousands die in
camps
Provokes humanitarian
outcry
U.S. public opinion becomes
pro-intervention

Reflected various concerns:




Humanitarian
Imperialistic
Economic
Assisted by “yellow journalism”

Particularly re: coverage of the U.S.S. Maine
(sinks Feb. 15, 1898)
March 1898: President McKinley
demands Cuban independence



Rejected by Spain,
April 10.
Congress calls for
Cuban independence,
Spanish withdrawal,
gives McKinley
authority to use force.
Spain declares war
April 23; U.S., April
25.
U.S. plans: Assumed war would be
primarily a naval conflict

U.S. Navy



Army



Would destroy Spanish naval forces
Bombard cities or blockade territories
Would man coastal defenses
Small forces would be sent to assist Cuban
rebels
Primary focus: Cuba
Naval mobilization goes smoothly


Naval War College had previously
developed plan for a war with Spain.
Ships deployed into 5 squadrons:



Asiatic – George Dewey
North Atlantic – William T. Sampson
“Flying” Squadron – Winfield Scott Schley
Battle of Manila Bay: May 1, 1898
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic…

In late April, Spain sends a
squadron under Adm. Pascual
de Cervera across the Atlantic
Sampson’s squadron goes to Puerto
Rico


But Cervera learns of
the fleet’s destination,
heads to Santiago,
Cuba instead.
Sampson blockades
Santiago, but too
dangerous to send his
fleet into the harbor.
The Army: Manpower

Legislation passed in April 1898:



Allowed McKinley to call up state Guardsmen
to serve as volunteers.
Enlarged the regular army to 67,000 men.
Provided for formation of some federal
volunteer units.
Volunteer call-up results in chaos



McKinley calls out 125,000 Guardsmen in
April, and another 75,000 in May.
Army bureaucracy geared toward needs of
peacetime establishment (about 25,000
men)
Guardsmen arrive at camps not
adequately trained or equipped.
Mission to Cuba


William R. Shafter
appointed to
command of 5th
Corps, assembling in
Tampa, FL.
Original assignment
modest, changed and
ultimately sent to
Santiago.
Logistical disorder in Tampa



Transportation bottlenecks
Poor record-keeping
Too few staff officers
5th Corps sails to Cuba, June 14-22
Shafter moves towards
city of Santiago
Battle of Santiago, July 1, 1898
Most famous
combatant at
San Juan Hill:
Teddy Roosevelt
Battle of Santiago: Aftermath


Cervera’s fleet destroyed in escape
attempt, July 3.
Shafter demands surrender of Santiago.



Leads to capitulation of commander of
Spanish forces in eastern Cuba, July 17
Puerto Rico invaded, July 25.
Peace protocol signed, August 12.
Additional considerations



Spanish leadership poor
Role of Cuban guerillas
Disease:


ravages 5th Corps in Cuba
breaks out in volunteer camps in U.S.
Meanwhile, back in the
Philippines…




Emilio Aguinaldo
returns to organize
resistance to Spanish
rule.
Declares
independence.
Establishes a republic.
Besieges Manila with
an army.
The “Battle” of Manila, August 13


U.S. forces capture the city
Battle designed to:



Save face for the Spanish
Keep city out of hands of indigenous Filipino
army
Word of peace protocol arrives just after
the battle.
Treaty of Paris, Dec. 10, 1898


Spanish granted Cuba independence,
withdrew from the Island.
Spain ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the
Philippines to the U.S.

Annexation of Philippines sparks outcry in U.S.
(and costs $20)
Birth of American Empire