Digital Artifact Project - Century of War
spanish-American War
April 25, 1898 - Aug 12, 1898
- During the Spanish American war, military forces from the US and Spain were fighting over Cuba's independence from Spain.
- The importance of a new canal spurred American interest in freeing Cuba.
- The war started over the sinking of the USS Maine in a Cuban harbor.
- Skirmishes were frequent in the western Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico.
- US Commander Dewey, led a naval squadron into Manila Bay destroying the anchored Spanish fleet. US occupied Manila by August, after about three months.
- The war only lasted 10 weeks, with Cuba's independence from Spain.
- December 10, 1898, Treaty of Paris officially concluded the war and gave the US territory in Guam, and Puerto Rico.
- Spain transferred sovereignty of Philippines for $20 million.
- Almost equal losses for Cuba and American forces.