Why did the Spanish choose to fight the USA in 1898 (Short Animated Documentary)
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Date: 2026-07-10
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Comments and reviews: 20
HerrAntoniator
The conflict was not simply a military defeat for Spain, but effectively a covert sale of Cuba, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico to the United States. Influential politicians in the Spanish Parliament and high-ranking military officers were generously rewarded in exchange for facilitating the transfer of these territories. The reason for carrying out the sale through a war was that the population would never have approved of such a thing, and otherwise the politicians would have been hanged as traitors.
Spanish military leaders received orders not to make full use of coastal artillery defenses, allowing American forces to land with less resistance. A series of military decisions that appeared incompetent or irrational at the time, these actions were not mistakes but acts of deliberate betrayal carried out under instructions from corrupt politicians.
Spain's defeat was not primarily the result of military weakness, but of political corruption and collusion between members of the Spanish establishment and American interests. Interestingly, after the war, a large number of politicians and military commanders retired to the United States with great fortunes. Regarding the Philippines, it was a nation subjected to continuous genocide from the time the Americans arrived, continued by the Japanese during World War II, and later finished off by the United States after the archipelago was liberated from the Japanese. Or why do you think nobody speaks Spanish in the Philippines today
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The conflict was not simply a military defeat for Spain, but effectively a covert sale of Cuba, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico to the United States. Influential politicians in the Spanish Parliament and high-ranking military officers were generously rewarded in exchange for facilitating the transfer of these territories. The reason for carrying out the sale through a war was that the population would never have approved of such a thing, and otherwise the politicians would have been hanged as traitors.
Spanish military leaders received orders not to make full use of coastal artillery defenses, allowing American forces to land with less resistance. A series of military decisions that appeared incompetent or irrational at the time, these actions were not mistakes but acts of deliberate betrayal carried out under instructions from corrupt politicians.
Spain's defeat was not primarily the result of military weakness, but of political corruption and collusion between members of the Spanish establishment and American interests. Interestingly, after the war, a large number of politicians and military commanders retired to the United States with great fortunes. Regarding the Philippines, it was a nation subjected to continuous genocide from the time the Americans arrived, continued by the Japanese during World War II, and later finished off by the United States after the archipelago was liberated from the Japanese. Or why do you think nobody speaks Spanish in the Philippines today
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kgw72
Both can be true: Spain had no chances of defeating the US AND the Spanish army was bigger and had better weapons than the US' (they still used black gunpower.
The US Army didn't attack the capital of Cuba: La Havana where Spain stationed their biggest forces, but Santiago, in a province were Cuban rebels could attack their supply lines.
(and if the Americans landed there was because the Spanish main reached there.
In Puerto Rico, US forces didn't reach San Juan.
In the Phiippines, it was the Fiipino revolt that forced the Spanish governor of Manila to stage an operation with the US forces so the American conquer the city instead of the Filipino rebels I am sure that wouldn't cause any problem later on.
Finally; none can seriously claim that the defeat in 1898 lead directly to the Spanish Civil War. The politicians wanted to save the Restauration political system and they made it, at least until 1931 -with the help of something called Great Depression.
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Both can be true: Spain had no chances of defeating the US AND the Spanish army was bigger and had better weapons than the US' (they still used black gunpower.
The US Army didn't attack the capital of Cuba: La Havana where Spain stationed their biggest forces, but Santiago, in a province were Cuban rebels could attack their supply lines.
(and if the Americans landed there was because the Spanish main reached there.
In Puerto Rico, US forces didn't reach San Juan.
In the Phiippines, it was the Fiipino revolt that forced the Spanish governor of Manila to stage an operation with the US forces so the American conquer the city instead of the Filipino rebels I am sure that wouldn't cause any problem later on.
Finally; none can seriously claim that the defeat in 1898 lead directly to the Spanish Civil War. The politicians wanted to save the Restauration political system and they made it, at least until 1931 -with the help of something called Great Depression.
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history_matters
There is also another side of the story in which the united states wanted cuba independent because they wanted to take over, same way they did on philipines. They sunk their own war ship and didnt allow anyone to inspect the accident they drages the ship deep in the ocean. Then declare war on a country which was just recovering after the invasion of napoleon with no help from the spanish america, those brothers failed us and spain was force to the war, which we always go if we are called. We losed just like we expected, they just had to go. Unluckily for the united states of america cuba didnt take the bait and stayed independent. Puerto rico was taken and always considered second class north americans with no even right to vote, and philipines was forced too. As u can see, the story changes depends on what angle u r looking from.
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There is also another side of the story in which the united states wanted cuba independent because they wanted to take over, same way they did on philipines. They sunk their own war ship and didnt allow anyone to inspect the accident they drages the ship deep in the ocean. Then declare war on a country which was just recovering after the invasion of napoleon with no help from the spanish america, those brothers failed us and spain was force to the war, which we always go if we are called. We losed just like we expected, they just had to go. Unluckily for the united states of america cuba didnt take the bait and stayed independent. Puerto rico was taken and always considered second class north americans with no even right to vote, and philipines was forced too. As u can see, the story changes depends on what angle u r looking from.
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royendershade8044
USA had estrategical interests in Cuba an the Philippines. Spain was dragged into war with the false flag attack on the Maine, where USA didn't care killing some of its own people for the sake of its interests. You don't simply let a bully rob you without fighting, it is as simple as that, it is absurd to question why Spain fought: what the hell would they do Just watch as the injustice is committed The results, btw, both in Cuba an the Philippines, are well known now: they would be a first world country, with all their heritage otherwise, and USA would've had no problem with Cuba, but ambition was greater. And the Philippines would still have a greater cultural deposit alive.
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USA had estrategical interests in Cuba an the Philippines. Spain was dragged into war with the false flag attack on the Maine, where USA didn't care killing some of its own people for the sake of its interests. You don't simply let a bully rob you without fighting, it is as simple as that, it is absurd to question why Spain fought: what the hell would they do Just watch as the injustice is committed The results, btw, both in Cuba an the Philippines, are well known now: they would be a first world country, with all their heritage otherwise, and USA would've had no problem with Cuba, but ambition was greater. And the Philippines would still have a greater cultural deposit alive.
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danielmp2085
Spain got a wake up call in the 1880s with the Crisis of the Carolines. All the politicians spoke about how a new navy was needed and how defense of Cuba and the Philipines had to be improved. All talk and no action and by 1898 best thing they could do was surrender or let a war that was lost from the beginning happen. Had they actually done something 15 years prior our fleet could have been scary enough that the americans wouldn't risk starting an offensive war. Such a waste. now we get wake up calls from Morrocco, we do all talk and no action and some day when Ceuta and Melilla are attacked we will have to surrender or fight another lost war that could have been avoided.
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Spain got a wake up call in the 1880s with the Crisis of the Carolines. All the politicians spoke about how a new navy was needed and how defense of Cuba and the Philipines had to be improved. All talk and no action and by 1898 best thing they could do was surrender or let a war that was lost from the beginning happen. Had they actually done something 15 years prior our fleet could have been scary enough that the americans wouldn't risk starting an offensive war. Such a waste. now we get wake up calls from Morrocco, we do all talk and no action and some day when Ceuta and Melilla are attacked we will have to surrender or fight another lost war that could have been avoided.
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el_saltamontes
Starting out and this already looks to be such an americanist video.
Forget about the USS Maine which somehow exploded from inside and they blamed on Spain to start the war. Also forget about the fact that they had spent the previous century trying to buy Cuba.
Also forget the fact that Cuba was one of if not the most important province of Spain. It was the first one with a railroad. Stealing it from Spain was like Spain invading New York.
On the revolts, I can say almost certainly that this was also caused by foreign influence. All libertadors were freemasons and all had gone through UK/France. Public info btw.
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Starting out and this already looks to be such an americanist video.
Forget about the USS Maine which somehow exploded from inside and they blamed on Spain to start the war. Also forget about the fact that they had spent the previous century trying to buy Cuba.
Also forget the fact that Cuba was one of if not the most important province of Spain. It was the first one with a railroad. Stealing it from Spain was like Spain invading New York.
On the revolts, I can say almost certainly that this was also caused by foreign influence. All libertadors were freemasons and all had gone through UK/France. Public info btw.
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history_matters
That war was a joke, the United states government bribed all spanish government members with 1 million dollars for each of them. All those spanish politicians were stonemasons, Sagasta, the prime minister was 33 grade on their organisation. There was a murder of the previous one, who wanst eager to cooperate with USA, he wasn't a stonemason, Canovas del Cadtillo. Spain had at that time better war vessels and better army than USA. But Rome decided to give their eagles way far from the new river Po, the Atlantic ocean.
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That war was a joke, the United states government bribed all spanish government members with 1 million dollars for each of them. All those spanish politicians were stonemasons, Sagasta, the prime minister was 33 grade on their organisation. There was a murder of the previous one, who wanst eager to cooperate with USA, he wasn't a stonemason, Canovas del Cadtillo. Spain had at that time better war vessels and better army than USA. But Rome decided to give their eagles way far from the new river Po, the Atlantic ocean.
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gadesatlantis817
It's very simple because they had no other choice. The ungrateful USA, who owe Spain its independence, thanked us by stealing territories whenever they felt like it. Throughout the 19th century, they tried to buy Cuba, which was an integral part of Spain, not a colony. Given the repeated Spanish refusals, they decided to sink their own ship, the Maine, and thus have the excuse or casus belli. Trump is one of those ungrateful racists, as demonstrated by Greenland, for example.
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It's very simple because they had no other choice. The ungrateful USA, who owe Spain its independence, thanked us by stealing territories whenever they felt like it. Throughout the 19th century, they tried to buy Cuba, which was an integral part of Spain, not a colony. Given the repeated Spanish refusals, they decided to sink their own ship, the Maine, and thus have the excuse or casus belli. Trump is one of those ungrateful racists, as demonstrated by Greenland, for example.
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Why_ask_
The popular opinion within at least the British Navy was that the Spain would destroy the US Navy. Immediately prior to the US Pacific fleet’s sortie to the Philippines, they were allowed to re-fuel in Hong Kong. The officers dined together - as officers do. As the American fleet started steaming off to war, a British Officer wrote to his wife that the American officers were fine men to bad I will never see them again. Their mission was clearly considered to be suicide.
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The popular opinion within at least the British Navy was that the Spain would destroy the US Navy. Immediately prior to the US Pacific fleet’s sortie to the Philippines, they were allowed to re-fuel in Hong Kong. The officers dined together - as officers do. As the American fleet started steaming off to war, a British Officer wrote to his wife that the American officers were fine men to bad I will never see them again. Their mission was clearly considered to be suicide.
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Alonso4c
When the Maine docked in Havana, the Spanish took the crew out for a party. When the US attacked the Philippines, not even the Spanish in the Philippines were aware of the war and went by boat to greet the American ships, thinking they were being greeted with warning shots and that they had no gunpowder to return the salute. The US took advantage of Spain's weakness to annex its territory in a swift war, killing thousands of Filipinos and attempting to subdue Cuba.
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When the Maine docked in Havana, the Spanish took the crew out for a party. When the US attacked the Philippines, not even the Spanish in the Philippines were aware of the war and went by boat to greet the American ships, thinking they were being greeted with warning shots and that they had no gunpowder to return the salute. The US took advantage of Spain's weakness to annex its territory in a swift war, killing thousands of Filipinos and attempting to subdue Cuba.
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votemos8122
The video could have dedicated more time to the disgusting way the tragedy of the Maine was used to justify the war, mentioned the pyrrhic American victories in land battles where they suffered far more casualties than the Spanish, how the Spanish government ordered the ships to sail into open sea against the advice of the admirals in order to seek a quick end to the conflict, and, in short, how the Spanish government was the primary culprit for the defeat.
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The video could have dedicated more time to the disgusting way the tragedy of the Maine was used to justify the war, mentioned the pyrrhic American victories in land battles where they suffered far more casualties than the Spanish, how the Spanish government ordered the ships to sail into open sea against the advice of the admirals in order to seek a quick end to the conflict, and, in short, how the Spanish government was the primary culprit for the defeat.
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history_matters
That is how US paid for their debts to Spain for helping them with their independence! On the other hand it is important to remark than Cubans and Puerto Ricans the were Spanish citizens and had represnetation in the Congress. They were not colonies or whatsoever, and with autonomy status just approved before the war. Independentist in Cuba were a minority and in Puerto Rico almost non-existent. Filipinas was another history, but they regreted.
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That is how US paid for their debts to Spain for helping them with their independence! On the other hand it is important to remark than Cubans and Puerto Ricans the were Spanish citizens and had represnetation in the Congress. They were not colonies or whatsoever, and with autonomy status just approved before the war. Independentist in Cuba were a minority and in Puerto Rico almost non-existent. Filipinas was another history, but they regreted.
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history_matters
In no moment you mention what was basically a matter of honour and political maneuvres, this video looks just like american propaganda, for the spanish army to lose what was seen as a part of Spain as Cuba and Puerto Rico would be a giant moral blow to them, and politically it would mean revoloution and probably the end of the monarchy.
Also the land battle in Cuba and the Philippines were not that one sided as you make them look.
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In no moment you mention what was basically a matter of honour and political maneuvres, this video looks just like american propaganda, for the spanish army to lose what was seen as a part of Spain as Cuba and Puerto Rico would be a giant moral blow to them, and politically it would mean revoloution and probably the end of the monarchy.
Also the land battle in Cuba and the Philippines were not that one sided as you make them look.
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history_matters
Well. why we fight against USA its easy to resovle. the same as the Iranians are figthing USA now a days and Trump cant understand why. Becouse we are cultures of honor. where our honor is more important than money. we dont see that as a what can we win or lose in a material meaning. we think if we give up Cuba without fight we will lose our national honour and this is much worst than any thing
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Well. why we fight against USA its easy to resovle. the same as the Iranians are figthing USA now a days and Trump cant understand why. Becouse we are cultures of honor. where our honor is more important than money. we dont see that as a what can we win or lose in a material meaning. we think if we give up Cuba without fight we will lose our national honour and this is much worst than any thing
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history_matters
In truth, the weird thing is how onesided it was. It should not have been so. The most probable outcome would have been a much more costly victory for the USA, losing a higher percentage of the fleet, much more soldiers on land, a lot of damage to their merchant fleet, and important damages in their ports and costal cities, as they were poorly defender against the sea, or not at all.
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In truth, the weird thing is how onesided it was. It should not have been so. The most probable outcome would have been a much more costly victory for the USA, losing a higher percentage of the fleet, much more soldiers on land, a lot of damage to their merchant fleet, and important damages in their ports and costal cities, as they were poorly defender against the sea, or not at all.
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StuMacher77
In theory, if they gave Cuba up, and managed to keep the Philippines under control, when WW2 rolls around:
1. Does Japan still attack Pearl Harbor I'm assuming they do.
2. Does Spain defend the Philippines from Japan/go to war with Japan
3. Do Germany and Italy declare war on Spain
4. Does Spain side with the West, or the Soviets Do they open a new, second Western Front
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In theory, if they gave Cuba up, and managed to keep the Philippines under control, when WW2 rolls around:
1. Does Japan still attack Pearl Harbor I'm assuming they do.
2. Does Spain defend the Philippines from Japan/go to war with Japan
3. Do Germany and Italy declare war on Spain
4. Does Spain side with the West, or the Soviets Do they open a new, second Western Front
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jordsou
It is curious that, actually, the lost of Cuba & Philipines was in the end the best that could have happened to Spain. Thanks to the lost of those territories much spanish capital and investments came back to the mainland which, added to the end of the continuous wars that were bleeding the economy, was responsible to the great economic growth of the following decades until the 1930's.
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It is curious that, actually, the lost of Cuba & Philipines was in the end the best that could have happened to Spain. Thanks to the lost of those territories much spanish capital and investments came back to the mainland which, added to the end of the continuous wars that were bleeding the economy, was responsible to the great economic growth of the following decades until the 1930's.
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miguelceromil
In Spain we're taught that the US blew up an American boat and blamed it on Spain, it's explained as a defensive war that the US started. It's also made very clear that Spain had no chance to win nor interest in declaring war on the US, since Spain had gone through several internal conflicts for the last century and we already had enough shit to deal with
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In Spain we're taught that the US blew up an American boat and blamed it on Spain, it's explained as a defensive war that the US started. It's also made very clear that Spain had no chance to win nor interest in declaring war on the US, since Spain had gone through several internal conflicts for the last century and we already had enough shit to deal with
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AFVEH
Wait, what! Spain didn't decide to declare war. The US declared war on Spain using USS Maine as a casus belli. The US sank their own ship just to have an excuse to start the war. Spain was militarily stronger but in a recesion, so they retreated, let the US win and left a small contingent of men to seem like they fought for it instead of leaving.
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Wait, what! Spain didn't decide to declare war. The US declared war on Spain using USS Maine as a casus belli. The US sank their own ship just to have an excuse to start the war. Spain was militarily stronger but in a recesion, so they retreated, let the US win and left a small contingent of men to seem like they fought for it instead of leaving.
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hermosoloremalaga
We all know the war was an excuse. Spain wanted to give away those territorys. People often does not understand how much money cost to mantain an army around the globe. If you want some piece of clue that all the war was a theater the Spanish General of Cuban forces gave the orders to Spanish soldiers while he was living in the US.
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We all know the war was an excuse. Spain wanted to give away those territorys. People often does not understand how much money cost to mantain an army around the globe. If you want some piece of clue that all the war was a theater the Spanish General of Cuban forces gave the orders to Spanish soldiers while he was living in the US.
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