How long was the splendid little war

One hundred years ago, the United States and Spain fought an almost forgotten war, but one with far-reaching effects. A rebellion began when Cuba sought independence from its colonial ruler. The United States government at first remained neutral, but became concerned when the Spanish Governor began forcing thousands of citizens into concentration camps while his forces destroyed the countryside.

Because of American business interests on the island and sympathy for the Cuban insurrectos, relations between the United States and Spain deteriorated. Sensationalist U. Public opinion called for the United States to pressure Spain into granting Cuba its independence.

President William McKinley ordered the U. At approximately p. The U. Navy and Marine Corps suffered casualties. Although the true cause of the explosion has never been determined, the immediate explanation by extremists in the United States was to suggest that the Spanish government was somehow responsible.

After unsuccessful negotiations lasting almost four months, President McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war on April 11, The arrival of large numbers of troops spurred its transition from a frontier military outpost to a modern army base. Buildings like the Montgomery St.

Barracks and the Letterman Hospital complex are now an important part of the historic scene. This particular weapon was supposedly damaged at Subic Bay in the Philippines by shellfire from the U. Charleston in September of But some historians believe an explosion of a shell inside the gun damaged the barrel instead of a direct hit.

Publisher William Randolph Hearst brought the gun to San Francisco by the time of the earthquake and the Army acquired it in to exhibit at the Presidio. James F. The plaque marks where the 1st California Regiment of Volunteer Infantry camped while awaiting transport across the Pacific.

The plaque, given by the regiment, commemorates their commanding officer for actions in Guam and the Philippines. On Ruger Street are infantry barracks built between to to provide better housing for overseas-bound and returning troops. Fort Mason, Bldg. Leave a message otherwise and we will get back to you. Explore This Park. Presidio of San Francisco California.

Info Alerts Maps Calendar Reserve. Alerts In Effect Dismiss. Dismiss View all alerts. Pin from the Spanish American War period. It would be the first overseas conflict fought by the U. This short conflict marked the rise of the U. During the late 19 th century the United States had grown into a world power, but a latent one. From the springboard of the Monroe Doctrine, along with other circumstances, the U.

Imperial Democracy. The late s and early s were a second age of imperialism, during which the United States , founded as a democracy opposed to British imperialism, itself contemplated assuming imperial, or at least global, roles. Social Darwinism, economic considerations, and the big-navy idea were arguments in favor of this new role for the U.

Origins of the Spanish War. The motives of the U. Conservative interests in the U.