The American-Spanish War of 1898: background and results
In April 1898, the colonial empire of Spain declared war on the United States. At the same time, this measure was rather a response to the actions of the Americans, who used tactics familiar to all of us today.
The prerequisite for the above events was the mass uprising in Cuba in 1895. The island at that time was a Spanish colony. Despite the mobilization of 150 thousand people, the Spaniards were not able to suppress the rebellion, which later acquired a sluggish character.
Meanwhile, in the United States, an active formation of public opinion began, which boiled down to the fact that the Americans should help the people of Cuba. Moreover, there were allegedly also citizens of the United States.
As a result, in January 1898, the battleship Maine set off for the Cuban shores, which was blown up in February by an unknown person.
However, the very fact of the bombing was enough for the US authorities to accuse the Spaniards without evidence and issue them an ultimatum demanding to leave Cuba. The day before the expiration of his term, April 22, the Americans began a blockade of the island. On April 23, Spain declared war on the United States.
It is worth noting that the fighting took place not only in the Caribbean, but also in the Philippines, which was also a Spanish colony, where a rebellion broke out.
One of the most notable events of the war was the landing of the US Army in Cuba. Despite the fact that the Americans outnumbered the enemy by 16 times and enjoyed huge support from the rebels, both sides suffered the same losses during the clashes.
However, steadfastness and dedication did not allow the Spaniards to win the war. The confrontation ended on August 12 with the signing of a peace treaty.
As a result, the United States gained control over Cuba, although they announced the recognition of its independence. Puerto Rico, the island of Guam and others were unconditionally transferred to the American side. Finally, the United States bought the Philippines from the Spaniards for $20 million.
As for Spain, after this war it ceased to be a colonial power, lost its position in the world and, having lost the opportunity to defend the remaining overseas territories in the Pacific Ocean, already in 1899 sold them to Germany.
What is the reason for the outbreak of uprisings in Cuba and the Philippines, as well as who blew up the American battleship, remains a mystery. However, taking into account the fact that since 1886 the United States began to invest in the sugar, mining and tobacco industries of Cuba, and the Spaniards actively prevented this, fearing to lose their colony, the interest of the Americans in the armed conflict becomes obvious.
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