In 1898, the United States declared war on Spain, following Cuba’s many
attempts for independence from Spain that was a result from restrictions put on trade, and
Spain being seemingly incapable of guaranteeing peace in Cuba. Spain admitted defeat
after six months and commissioners from both countries got together in Paris to form a
treaty, the treaty of Paris 1898, to end the war, and allow Cuba to be free from Spain.
Most U.S. citizens felt the incident could be related to their own country and had
sympathy towards Cuba.
Since the Treaty of Paris halted the war, it prevented further casualties of Spanish
and Americans, as well as Cubans, whom great numbers had suffered during the chaos,
especially prior to the war due to Spain resisting the independence rebels of Cuba. It also
resulted in a good relation with Cuba; more so after Theodore Roosevelt removed the 20-
year trusteeship William McKinley had established when he was president which Cuba
was under. Cuba was then officially an independent country, and in their new laws U.S.
had the rights to intervene their matters and was allowed to supervise its finance and
foreign connections. The U.S. was also allowed to lease a naval base located in Cuba,
Guantanamo Bay, which recently was being used as a place to keep militants from Iraq
and Afghanistan
Works Cited
“Spanish American War Chronology.” The Spanish American War Centennial Website.
MINERVA project. 2006. October 2006.
Cushing, Lincoln. “1898-1998 Centennial of the Spanish-American War.” Zpub.com.
1997. October 2006.
Hernandez, Jose M. “The World of 1898: The Spanish-American War.” Hispanic
Division Library of Congress. 2002. October 2006.