The Spanish American War
America Becomes a Global Power
The Spanish-American War began in April 1898. This war lasted only 109 days and began soon after the USS Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor. The US sent this warship after riots by Spanish loyalists broke out in Havana. Cuba had been in a struggle for independence from Spain for over thirty years prior. This riot was also thought to be anti-American and support for the Cuban independence was growing in the US during this time. The desire for a peaceful resolution to the Cuban fight for independence and strong expansionist ideals motivated US action. The Treaty of Paris ended the conflict and gave the US ownership of the former Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam.
The US emerged from this war as a nation united and involved in world affairs. It also marked Spain’s decline as a major power. The war helped further reconciliation between the North and South. Soldiers from both northern and southern states, black and white, participated in this short war.
ABOVE: USS Olympia and US Fleet steaming to meet the Spanish Fleet in Manila Bay
LEFT: Photograph of Camp Cuba Libre in Jacksonville, Florida, 1898. Camp Cuba Libre was the assembly point for Maj. General Fitzhugh Lee's Seventh Corps. It was established on May 31, 1898 and eventually became home to 30,000 men.
RIGHT: Spanish American War-era hat of Major Otis Salley. Salley was from Salley, South Carolina and was a member of Company I, 2nd S.C. regiment. He served on the staff of Governor John Gary Evans from 1894-1897. Helmets of the late nineteenth century were influenced by German styles, since the military success of the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian war was widely admired. Mounted service (cavalry or horse artillery) was denoted by a plumed helmet, while infantry helmets carried a spike. /
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