Causes of the Spanish-American War answer key

Colonization has been on the forefront of many nations’ minds throughout history. The idea of imperialism and expansion has led many countries to overthrow other countries or territories, sometimes across vast distances. Such was the case of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. All had been under Spain’s rule since the 1500s.

On several occasions over the next nearly 400 years, citizens of these places challenged attempts of foreign occupations in hopes of securing their independence. In February 1895, Cuba began fighting for their independence from Spain for the last time. Just when it seemed they would not be able to remove themselves from Spanish rule, the United States became involved, and the Spanish–American War ensued. Let’s take a look at what else contributed to the Spanish–American War and what resulted because of it.

What Were the Causes of the Spanish–American War?

The causes of the Spanish–American War were many, but the main reasons are these:

  • Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain caused the United States to feel uneasy about the political instability of an island so close in proximity to the U.S. mainland. Therefore, the U.S. supported Cuban independence. 
  • A letter from the Spanish Foreign Minister, Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, was printed in the New York Times in which he criticized U.S. president William McKinley. 
  • An explosion caused the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana, which killed most of its crew. 

Causes of the Spanish-American War answer key

Many agree that the main causes of the Spanish–American War was Cuba's struggle for independence and the sinking of the USS Maine on 15 February 1898. An explosion, then thought to be caused by a mine, killed over 260 of the 354 American crew members. Though there was no formal accusation, many Americans felt the Spanish were to blame. The United States officially declared war on Spain on 21 April 1898.

What Were the Main Battles during the Spanish–American War?

Fighting first began in the Philippine Islands on 1 May 1898. Commodore George Dewey sailed into Manila Bay and destroyed the Spanish fleet. He was unable to capture Manila due to low manpower and waited on the 15,000 troops that arrived in late July to secure the Philippine capital city. The U.S. had hoped to secure the Philippines as part of their westward expansion and because they were officially at war with Spain.

Causes of the Spanish-American War answer key

In June, the U.S. marines captured Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, and by July the U.S. planned to take Santiago de Cuba. Reports of Spanish reinforcements were coming in, and Major General William Shafter ordered 3 hilltop assaults that were part of the city’s outer defenses. This battle was later known as the Battle of San Juan Hill. Here, Theodore Roosevelt and his “Rough Riders,” along with soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry, were the first to breech Kettle Hill. San Juan Hill was taken soon after, and the U.S. had control of Santiago de Cuba.

On 25 July 1898, American troops arrived at Guanica Harbor in Puerto Rico. At 11 o'clock on 26 July, after 4 Spanish deaths, the island surrendered. Puerto Rico officially was turned over to United States forces by Spain on 18 October 1898.

A cease-fire was signed on August 12, and the war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on 10 December 1898.

What Were the Results of the Spanish–American War?

The conditions of the Treaty of Paris included Spain giving Cuba their independence, the cession of Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States, and the selling of the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million. Yet another result was the United States was now poised to annex the independent state of Hawaii. A resolution of Congress made Hawaii a U.S. territory on 12 August 1898. After the Spanish–American War, the United States had a significant hold in the Caribbean and Pacific, making it a leading power in the world.

How Did My Ancestors Feel about the Spanish–American War?

One hundred and twenty-three years have passed since the Spanish–American War. People who would have remembered what it was like in 1898 have long since passed. We can only speculate what our ancestors on either side of the conflict may have thought and felt regarding the Spanish–American War—or what level of awareness, if any, they might have had regarding the brewing tensions abroad and at home.

Causes of the Spanish-American War answer key

We would do well to attempt to put things into historical perspective. This war lasted only 3 months, and the death toll wasn't as devastating compared to other wars of that period in time. Compare that to the U.S. Civil War, which occurred less than 50 years earlier, lasting 4 years and touching nearly every American home with immense loss of life, and you can see why the impact of the Spanish–American War had far fewer casualties of war.

Americans alive at the time may have personally fought in the U.S. Civil War or probably knew relatives who had fought in the U.S. Civil War or the U.S. Revolutionary War. Consequently, they likely would have had strong feelings and misgivings about the possibility of entering into any additional conflicts except for the cause of liberty. Those with Spanish roots may have viewed the percolating international strife with the United States with reminiscent feelings of other Spanish conflicts like the War against Napoleon (1808–13), Independence of the Spanish Colonies (1810–25), and the First Carlist War (1833–39).

Ancestors on both sides of the conflict knew that war comes with the risk of loss of human life—beloved family members to someone—and they most likely struggled with great consternation over the very thought of an impending war, particularly against an ally.

Some may have felt the war was necessary to support America’s developing foreign policies or to protect its citizens against perceived threats at its southern borders. There is no doubt the Spanish–American War provided the catalyst for the United States to become a leading power in the world. With the new territorial acquisitions of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, Hawaii, and other small islands in the Pacific, the United States had a stronghold in both the Caribbean and the Pacific.

If you want to see photographs of the war and read about what the Spanish-American War was like for those who fought in Cuba, check out this book by John Hemmet.

Causes of the Spanish-American War answer key

How Do I Find a Spanish–American War Veteran Ancestor?

Finding U.S. Soldiers

If your U.S. ancestors were born between about 1860 and 1880, they may have fought in the Spanish–American War. The U.S. troops were made up of the United States regular forces and state volunteers. Roughly 260,000 U.S. soldiers fought in the Spanish–American War. Most volunteers from the United States came from New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio.

Search for your U.S. ancestors who fought in the Spanish-American War by typing in the name of your ancestor in the search boxes below. If you know the year and location of their birth, include the information in the search bar below as well.

For more information on researching records from the Spanish–American War, consult the detailed article at the FamilySearch Wiki. You can also take a look at the many collections listed on the FamilySearch catalog for records applying to service and history of the Spanish–American War. Materials from the United Spanish War Veterans may also be helpful as you search for your Spanish–American War veteran ancestors, as many veterans were active in the organization after the war.

Finding Spanish Soldiers

If you are looking for your Spanish ancestors who fought in the Spanish-American War, it might take more time and research. The FamilySearch Wiki has a great guide on Spanish Military Records. Be sure to check out the sources listed at the bottom of the page for more information about specific military records. You can also try searching for your ancestor's name in the general search page on FamilySearch.

Finding Cuban Soldiers

It can be difficult to find Cuban soldiers involved in the war, but there are newspaper archives that may contain names or stories from the time period. Here are some links to Cuban newspapers: world-newspapers.com and w3newspapers.com. You can also search for your ancestors in the general search page on FamilySearch.

As you search for your ancestors who fought in the Spanish–American War and other wars, you might just be able to gain better insight into these past historical events as you see it from your ancestor’s point of view. Finding your veteran ancestors is a great way to better understand past conflicts and what your ancestors have done for their countries. So try searching for your veteran ancestors, and who knows, you might learn more from your ancestor’s experiences than you ever could in a history class.