The Spanish-American War: America’s Experiment with Colonial Enterprise

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The Spanish-American War: America’s Experiment with

Colonial Enterprise

USS Maine 

The Spanish-American War of 1898 was the very first overseas conflict of the United States. The United States entered war against Spain and her overseas possessions.  The European powers had very well-established overseas colonies and possessions across the globe, and with it, the prestige and respect that accompanied the colonial status. The U.S., desiring both international respect and prestige, seized the opportunity to expand her possessions and territories for what was regarded to be little effort.


Utah Field Artillery Battery, Cuba 1989.

By the end of the conflict, the U.S. controlled the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and the protectorate of Cuba. This set the stage for further expansion abroad but more importantly, the U.S. joined the rest of Europe as a military power with reach deep into the Pacific and Asia as well as securing her interests in the Caribbean and Latin America. By default, the possessions of Cuba and Puerto Rico assisted the U.S. in dominating and influencing the Western Hemisphere.

The U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, John Hay, remarked to President Teddy Roosevelt, that the Spanish-American War was a “splendid little war”. He further wrote “It has been a splendid little war, begun with the highest motives, carried on with magnificent intelligence and spirit, favored by that fortune which loves the brave." (Richman 1998)

The "Roughriders" assaulting San Juan Hill, July 1898.

 The sentiment from many of the politicians, as captured by Ambassador Hay, carried over to military advisors and the establishment of the U.S. Government. As such, the 1890s saw the U.S. government and her President focusing eyes overseas for opportunities. And in order to gain the international respect of others such as Europe, they believed the U.S. should too, have an Empire. And “war with Spain offered the means.” (Richman 1998)

But how did politicians and the establishment get the support of the American people for such an overseas venture? ‘Yellow journalism’ was a style of newspaper reporting provided readers with sensational stories, illustrations and more often, fabrication or embellishment of the stories reported. Newspaper publishers Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were in an aggressive competition for readership and as such, developed methods to increase daily readers of their papers. Nothing draws attention better than pictures and both provided cartoons and illustrations with sensational stories that captured the attention of the reading public. Hearst ran a series of articles blaming the Spanish for the sinking of the US battleship USS. Maine, with a mine. Hearst’s powerful articles pushed many Americans towards war with Spain. Because of his leading role in inciting the war, Hearst was nicknamed the “Father of Yellow Journalism.” (Wierichs 2016)

Counter-Attacking Spaniards and Cubans, 1898.

 Many Americans, with imaginations captured by the sensational reporting from Cuba, supported the Cuban insurgents and revolutionaries. The “Cuba Libre”, or ‘Free Cuba’ movement were immediately recognized by many Americans as a movement quite similar to the U.S. movement for 'Independence' in 1775. The sinking of the USS Maine, regardless, if accidental or intended by malfeasance, served as the catalyst to commit the United States to her first real overseas war.

Dewey’s Fleet ‘Crossing the ‘T’ Manila Bay, May 1898.

The Spanish-American War was fought overseas and pitted Americans and her Militia Army against Spaniards and her Colonial auxiliaries. Unlike the Civil War, where millions served and over a million casualties were experienced right at home, the Spanish-American War had few casualties and less than “400,000 American Regulars and Irregulars fought.” (McSherry 2016). Newspapers captured the war with fantastic stories and the ‘romantic’ images and exploits of bravery such as the “Roughriders” charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba. The war was over in under six months, unlike the four-year Civil War, and less than 4,000 casualties were experienced by the United States. By many, this was considered a small price to pay for the “splendid little war” that allowed the United States to join a seat at the table of international colonial and military power.

 


 

 

 

References

 

Richman, Michael, “A Splendid Little War built America’s Empire”, The Washington Post, 1998

            http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/1898/WP-9-11-1998.htm

 

Wierichs, Jeff, “William Randolph Hearst”, The Spanish American War Centennial Website

            http://www.spanamwar.com/Hearst.htm

 

McSherry, Patrick, “Casualties During The Spanish-American War”, The Spanish American War Centennial Website

            http://www.spanamwar.com/Hearst.htm

 

 

 







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