Spanish American War Research Paper

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Spanish-American War of 1898 The Spanish-American War was the war that took place in 1898 and ended Spain's colonial power and empire in the Western Hemisphere. It also secured the position of the United States as a Pacific power. The United States' victory brought about a peace treaty the forced the Spanish leaders to give up the rights to Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines and give them over to the United States. The Spanish-American War was preceded by much fighting and opposition coming from the Cuban revolutionaries. They were looking to gain independence from Spanish colonial rule. All of the fighting gained the attention of Americans, because it was so close to their home country. The American people had sympathy over …show more content…

He proposed a stable government that would maintain the order, peace, and tranquility for United States citizens and Cuban citizens. Later that same month, the United States Congress did pass a resolution that stated they would help Cuba gain their indepence. It demanded that Spain would give up control of the island and gave the United States the right to any military force necessary to free the Cuban people. Of course, the Spanish government refused to put up with these regulations and were so offended that they cut off all diplomatic relationships with the United States. President William McKinley responded by placing a naval blockade of Cuba and issued a call for the service of one hundred and twenty-five thousand military volunteers. That same day that President McKinley did all of this, the Spanish government declared war against the United States. The United States did also decide to go through with the war shortly …show more content…

It was fought in Manila Bay. Commodore George Dewey’s Asiatic Squadron defeated the Spanish naval force that was protecting the Philippines. The second, and final, battle took place on June 10th, some United States troops landed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and some landed near the harbor city of Santiago. They were able to isolate and defeat the Spanish Army, once again, and destroyed the Spanish Caribbean squadron as it attempted to escape. One month later, the French ambassador in Washington, Jules Cambon, approached President McKinley proposing a peace treaty and a cease-fire. The United States and Spanish government did sign the treaty and the Spanish-American War of 1898 was over. The regulations of the treaty gave Cuba their independence that they had been wishing for, but also forced Spain to give Guam and Puerto Rice over the the United States. Spain additionally agreed to sell the Philippines to the United States for twenty million dollars. The United States Senate ratified the treaty and everything went into effect soon

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