SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
1898

Who fought, WHO WON, WHO LOST?
The United States vs. Spain. The U.S. won, Spain lost big.

John J. Pershing fought in this war.

WHO RULED at the time?
In Spain, Queen María Cristina ruled for her son Alfonso XIII. In the United States, President William McKinley was in office.

WHY DID THEY FIGHT?
Cuba wanted independence from Spain. Spain wanted to hang on to Cuba. The U.S. wanted Spanish power out of their neighborhood.

The U.S. demanded Spanish withdrawal from Cuba. Spain didn't hear well on that ear and stayed put. On April 22, 1898, the U.S. started blockading Spanish ports. On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the U.S.

WHERE DID THEY FIGHT?
On May 1, 1898, the opponent's naval forces clashed in the harbor of Manila, Philippines. Spain was finished off in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898.

And here is the map:

MAP OF THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
Click to enlarge

WHAT ENDED THE WAR?
The Treaty of Paris, signed December 10, 1898. Spain lost Guam and Puerto Rico to the U.S. and had to let go of Cuba as well.

And for measly $20,000,000, the U.S. bought control over the Philippines from the Spanish.

Check the costs of major US wars in comparison.