The Spanish- American War of 1898 began with the issuing of the Wilson- Gorman Tariff. This tariff was instituted in 1894 and became known as the American Tariff. This tariff placed restrictions on any sugar imports to the United States of America. As a result, the economy of Cuba was severely hurt. At that time, Cuba’s economy was based on producing and selling sugar as the main cash crop. This led to uproar and the rise of a group of angry nationalists known as the ‘insurrectos’. This group of nationalists began a revolt against the then ruling Spanish colonial regime.
The ‘insurrectos’ even went ahead and chose a general and other leaders who would lead them as they passed messages on their grievances. Their actions did not go unheard. The Spanish regime sent in General Weyler to solve the problems in Cuba. General Weyler was also given the epithet ‘Butcher’. His mission was to stabilize the situation in Cuba using whichever means he deemed proper. Being the forceful man he was, he put most of the Cubans in concentration camps. He used coercion and excessive force as a way of solving the problem.
At that time, the United States of America had a lot of investors and businessmen in Cuba. The excessive force used by General Weyler and the unrest in Cuba caused a lot of concern. The American public was also concerned for their people. Consequently, they joined Cuba in their anti-Spain frenzy. They were against the Spanish colonial regime led by the yellow journalism of Pulitzer, Hearst and the others. Needless to say, President Grover Cleveland refused to go to war with Spain. He claimed that this was a minor issue and the upheavals in Cuba would eventually subside.
The uproar in Cuba continued even to the time President McKinley took office in 1897. General Weyler had also left Cuba by this time but the situation got even worse. The United States of America felt the need to send an intervention. This was done in 1898 when the United States Maine was dispatched on a "friendly" mission to Cuba. Their aim was to try and quell the problems in Cuba, and to rescue any American citizens in case the conflict got worse. The Maine reached Cuba safely, but it mysteriously blew up on February 15, 1898. In the process of solving this mystery, Spanish mine was blamed. President McKinley then gave the marines the permission to begin a war. The war was officially declared in April that same year.
As usual, the United States of America claimed that they were fighting for the independence of Cuba, and not any selfish gains. This was passed in a Teller Amendment. The war commenced and Cuba and other fronts were used for war. On the other side, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Theodore Roosevelt gave a command to Commodore Dewey. He attacked the Manila harbor in the Philippines with immediate effect. By the first of May the same year, Commodore Dewey had completely destroyed the old, rotting and decrepit Spanish fleet at Manila. Other Spanish islands were also invaded during the war. They include; Puerto Rico, Guam and others. The United States of America now started preparing for an invasion of the Philippines. The US also invaded Guam and Puerto Rico, other Spanish island colonies, during the war.
Needless to say, the efforts of the United States of America did not seem to pay ack. Even after the invasion and the capable leadership of General William R. Shafter, Cuba was still far from independence. However, many Cubans were positive that they would eventually gain independence. This was especially after the famous rough riders and other tough units were deployed there. Eventually, the efforts of the United States of America paid as a peace treaty was signed on December 10, 1898. This became known as the Treaty of Paris and it marked the end of the war. Finally, the United States of America kept its promise of liberating Cuba. Furthermore, the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico got their own colonies. The Philippines also became known as a colony.
After the war, America ascertained its position as a pacific power. America also stayed behind to enable Cuba’s economy, education, infrastructure and other sectors to improve. However, in the year 1901, just before America left Cuba, they forced them to enshrine the Platt Amendment into the Cuban constitution. As a result, the United States of America obtained a military base in Guantanamo. This also meant that the other islands like Puerto Rico, Philippines and Guam were under the protection and control of America. The Americans could conduct business as they wished in these islands. As expected, the three colonies were obviously upset since they expected to be liberated and independent like Cuba. America did not heed their cries and continued mining coal in the three islands. This led to the beginning of the guerilla war which lasted over a year.
Bibliography
Alger Russel. Spanish- American war of 1898. New York: Harper Bros, 2000.
Nofi Albert. Spanish- American war of 1898 (great campaigns). Chicago: Da Capo Press, 2002.
"Office of the Historian - Milestones - 1866-1898 - The Spanish-American War." Office of the Historian. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2013. <http://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/Spanish_american_war>.
