The Impact of the Spanish-American War on Cuba and the Philippines

5. The War Overseas
Exploded in Cuba in 1895, a new insurrection that joined the rebellion in the Philippines.
Causes of conflict in Cuba:
Political inequality between Spanish and Cuban
Protectionism of the metropolis that prevents the development of the Cuban economy
Maintenance of slavery in force until 1888.
As we discussed, in 1868, Cuba had exploded in a revolution that lasted until 1878. Cuba was the first war with U.S. support, ending with the Zanjón Peace, negotiated by General Martínez Campos with the rebels, who promised broad autonomy and a series of reforms. However, the delay in implementing the agreement brought about a new conflict against the Spanish presence on the island: the Small War in 1879, which was defeated the following year due to lack of support, lack of arms, and Spanish military superiority. Shortly after, the Grito de Baire of February 24, 1895, launched a general uprising led by José Martí (founder of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, whose aim was the independence of Cuba), Máximo Gómez, and Antonio Maceo. The fight resulted in independence for the island due to several factors, among which was critical U.S. intervention, always interested in buying the island, which Spain had rejected (sugar and tobacco). The opportunity to intervene in the war arose from the incident of the U.S. battleship Maine exploding in Havana in April 1898. The U.S. blamed the Spanish and sent an ultimatum demanding the withdrawal from Cuba. The Spanish government denied any link with the Maine and rejected the ultimatum, starting the Hispanic-American War.
The Spanish were defeated at the Battle of Santiago. In December 1898, Spain agreed to leave Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, which became an American protectorate under the Peace of Paris. Cuba achieved its independence but fell into the orbit of the great American nation. The 1898 Hispano-American War marked the military defeat of Spain.
In the Philippines, since 1854, liberal ideas had led to the presence of a first separatist movement headed by José Cuesta, although it was easily suppressed. As the century progressed, emancipatory tendencies grew under the leadership of José Rizal and the Katipunan (Filipino League, 1892), who is regarded as a hero of independence despite being taken prisoner and shot in 1896. The struggle continued under the leadership of Aguinaldo until the Treaty of Paris ended Spanish domination. After the American intervention and Spanish defeat at the Battle of Cavite, however, instead of achieving independence, the islands came under U.S. sovereignty. This decision prompted a renewed armed struggle led by Aguinaldo himself until he was captured by the Americans in 1901.

6. The Impact of the Disaster of 98
6.1 A Political and Moral Crisis
The disaster became a symbol of the first major crisis of the Restoration political system: a political crisis that continued turnismo and stimulated the growth of nationalist movements. Thus, the crisis was above all moral and ideological, reflecting a decadent nation in decline, with a psychologically impactful second army that was ineffective, a corrupt political system, and incompetent politicians.
6.2 The Regeneration
Emerged as the need for renewed political and social life in the country, with its greatest exponent being Joaquín Costa. The Institución Libre de Enseñanza had in its ranks personalities influenced by Krausism, a philosophical system based on reconciliation between theism and pantheism, promoting direct contact with nature and any object of knowledge, secularism, and freedom of conscience.
Additionally, a group of writers and thinkers known as the Generation of 98 tried to analyze the problems of Spain in a highly critical and pessimistic manner.
Although the disaster of 98 meant the end of the Restoration system as designed by Canovas, the reformist tone led to deep reforms being announced, but merely allowed the system to continue functioning with minimal changes.
The Military Defeat had consequences for the army, which was accused by some of the public of taking responsibility for the disaster, leading to anti-militarism. A part of the military attributed the defeat to the corruption and inefficiency of politicians, increasing the sense that they should have a greater presence and role in political life. This feeling grew and culminated in the coup of Primo de Rivera in 1923, resulting in a 7-year dictatorship, which was followed by Franco in 1936, triggering a civil war and plunging Spain into a military dictatorship for nearly 40 years.