The Spanish-American War broke out between Spain and America in 1898 over American desires for the island of Cuba. American preparations for invasion commenced in 1897, and in February 1898 the US Battleship Maine was blown up in Havana harbour, allegedly by a mine, and in March 1897 the American army was mobilised. In April Congress declared the independence of Cuba, which naturally caused Spain to declare war.
A naval campaign was localised to the Philippine Islands and Cuba. At the Philippines the Spanish fleet under Admiral Montojo was destroyed on May the 1st at the Battle of Manila Bay; while the Cuban fleet was blockaded in Santiago Bay by Admiral Sampson, until it slipped out, was pursued and wiped out. The US landed 16,000 soldiers on Cuba and captured Cuba and Puerto Rico. Peace was arranged with Spain surrendering Cuba to the USA, and being required to sell the Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam to the USA. Research Spanish-American War
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Abbreviations
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