Spanish-American War: Cuba's Fight for Independence

Cuba's War for Independence (1895-1898)

The conflict in Cuba became the central focus for Spanish Prime Minister Antonio Cánovas del Castillo until his assassination by Michele Angiolillo in 1897. When the new Cuban insurrection began, Spain found itself isolated from its traditional political alliances.

Spain's Isolation and U.S. Emergence

Without international support, Spain struggled to maintain its hold as the United States began to assert itself as a new global power.

The Cuban Independence Movement

The Cuban independence movement comprised the peasantry, the native bourgeoisie, and the popular classes. The Cuban Revolutionary Party was founded by José Martí (1853-1895), who was the inspiration for the Cuban War of Independence. This movement erupted in 1895 with the "Grito de Baire" (Cry of Baire).

• Guerrilla forces quickly gained control of the countryside.
• Insurgents began to move into the industrial cities.
• Meanwhile, Spanish General Arsenio Martínez Campos attempted to prevent U.S. supplies from reaching the rebels.

Spanish Repression and Civilian Casualties

The Spanish State was forced to make a massive effort, conscripting all working-class citizens who could not avoid military service. General Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau was tasked with concentrating the civilian population in areas controlled by the army. However, these "reconcentration camps" led to a large number of deaths due to epidemics and poor conditions.

Political Shifts and the USS Maine Incident

Following Cánovas's assassination, Práxedes Mateo Sagasta took the helm, and General Ramón Blanco y Erenas was appointed. Sagasta sought to reach an agreement with the United States, but these efforts failed after a terrible event: the sinking of the USS Maine.

U.S. Economic Interests and Ultimatum

The U.S. had significant economic interests in Cuba and sought to acquire the island. It went to Spain to offer to buy the island for $300 million and issued an ultimatum if it was not sold immediately.

The Inevitable Conflict

But the sinking of the U.S. battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor, under unexplained circumstances, was exploited by the American press to stir up confrontation, which became inevitable.

Global Reach and Swift U.S. Victory

The war quickly extended to the Philippines and terminated swiftly as the U.S. demonstrated overwhelming military strength. By July 17, 1898, Santiago de Cuba and Puerto Rico had fallen. Manila fell on August 14th of the same year.

The Treaty of Paris (1898) and Its Aftermath

The war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in December 1898. Under its terms:

• Spain recognized Cuba's independence.
• Spain ceded Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam to the United States in exchange for financial compensation.
• Spain also sold the Caroline Islands, the Marianas, and Palau to Germany in 1898 for $15 million.

The Spanish casualties were devastating, totaling 120,000 people and over 2 billion pesetas in financial losses.

The War's Decisive Outcome and U.S. Hegemony

The outcome of this war was decisive, marking the emergence of the United States as a new global military power. The U.S.:

• Occupied Puerto Rico.
• Retained the power to intervene in Cuba through the introduction of the Platt Amendment into the Cuban constitution.
• Installed a naval base in Guantanamo Bay, which gave it strategic control of the Caribbean.

The occupation of the Philippines further connected the U.S. with the burgeoning Asian market, solidifying its global influence.