Spanish-American War

noun

the war between the U.S. and Spain in 1898.

noun

the war between the US and Spain (1898) resulting in Spain's withdrawal from Cuba and its cession of Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico

Spanish-American War

A war between Spain and the United States, fought in 1898. The war began as an intervention by the United States on behalf of Cuba . Accounts of Spanish mistreatment of Cuban natives had aroused much resentment in the United States, a resentment encouraged by the yellow press ( see yellow journalism ). The incident that led most directly to the war was the explosion of the United States battleship Maine in the harbor of Havana , Cuba, an incident for which many Americans blamed Spain ( see Remember the Maine ). The United States won the war easily. The best-remembered incidents in the Spanish-American War were the charge of the Rough Riders , led by Theodore Roosevelt , in the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba, and the Battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines , at which Admiral George Dewey said, “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley.” The United States acquired Puerto Rico , Guam , and the Philippines in the war and gained temporary control over Cuba.

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Notes

The victory of the United States in the Spanish-American War made the country a world power, with territories spread across the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea . Hawaii , which had been an independent kingdom , was annexed by the United States in the same period.

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Example Sentences

When he left to join the Spanish-American War, Katie kept a picture of him on a locket around her neck.

From The Daily Beast

He began A Moment in the Sun in 1996 as a screenplay about an African-American soldier in the Spanish-American War.

From The Daily Beast

Rival newspaper barons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were even blamed for starting the Spanish-American War.

From The Daily Beast

One sculpture honors those who died in the Spanish-American War.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Martin, in remembering interesting episodes, forgot that trifling incident—the Spanish-American War, in 1898.

From Project Gutenberg

This weapon had a long reign, and was used side by side with the latest automatic machine gun in the Spanish-American War of 1898.

From Project Gutenberg

When my grandparents died, much of the estate was sold—for the Spanish-American War had wrought havoc with the family income.

From Project Gutenberg

Hearst is reported to have said that it cost him three millions to bring on the Spanish American War.

From Project Gutenberg

For youth the Spanish American War was a great adventure; for the nation it was a diversion sanctioned by a high purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

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