What Is History of the Spanish-American War? Explore Its Types, Uses & More

Background and Causes of the Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War broke out in 1898 between Spain and the United States. Key causes included American support for Cuban independence, exaggerated news reports (yellow journalism), and the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor (Source: U.S. War Department Reports, 1898).

Example: American newspapers printed sensational stories about Spanish cruelty in Cuba, increasing public demand for intervention.

Quick Tip: Cuba's struggle for independence and the sinking of the Maine sparked the war.

Role of Yellow Journalism

Yellow journalism used exaggerated or false stories to influence public opinion. Publishers like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer played a major role in stirring American anger against Spain (Source: Press and Media History Records).

Example: Headlines falsely blamed Spain for the explosion of the Maine, even before any investigation was completed.

Quick Tip: "You furnish the pictures, I'll furnish the war" - a famous quote tied to yellow journalism.

USS Maine Explosion

The battleship USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. Although the cause remains debated, many Americans believed Spain was responsible, increasing calls for war (Source: Naval Disaster Reports).

Example: "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!" became a rallying cry across the U.S.

Quick Tip: Whether sabotage or accident, the explosion pushed the U.S. to war.

Major Battles of the War

Key battles occurred in both the Caribbean and the Pacific. In Cuba, the Battle of San Juan Hill was famous for the charge led by Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders. In the Pacific, Commodore Dewey won a decisive victory at Manila Bay in the Philippines (Source: U.S. Military Battle Records).

Example: At San Juan Hill, Roosevelt's unit fought fiercely despite poor planning and heavy heat, becoming national heroes.

Quick Tip: The war was fought on two fronts-Cuba and the Philippines.

Take This Quiz:

Spanish-American War Quiz

Explore the Spanish-American War through this engaging quiz. Assess your understanding of the key events, such as the explosion of the USS Maine, and figures like President...

Questions: 10 | Attempts: 5627 | Last updated: Apr 07, 2025

Sample Question

Spanish-American War was between which two countries?

United States and Mexico

United States and Spain

United States and Cuba

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Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders

Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy at the time, resigned to lead a volunteer cavalry unit known as the Rough Riders. They became famous for their bravery during the Battle of San Juan Hill (Source: Roosevelt War Diaries).

Example: Though they faced steep terrain and enemy fire, Roosevelt led the charge that helped capture the hill and turned the tide of the battle.

Quick Tip: Roosevelt's war fame helped launch his political career.

Treaty of Paris and War's End

The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in December 1898. Spain gave up control of Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States, marking the beginning of America's overseas empire (Source: Treaty of Paris, 1898).

Example: The U.S. paid Spain $20 million for the Philippines but gained new influence in the Pacific and Caribbean.

Quick Tip: The war made the U.S. a global power with overseas colonies.

U.S. Emergence as a World Power

The quick victory in the Spanish-American War signaled America's rise as a world power. The nation now held strategic military bases and colonial holdings, leading to greater involvement in global affairs (Source: Global Strategy Reports, 1899).

Example: The U.S. began building a strong navy and influencing international policy, particularly in Latin America and Asia.

Quick Tip: The U.S. wasn't just a country-it became an empire.