American conquests

US victories on land and sea in the Caribbean and the Pacific brought the Spanish-american War to a swift conclusion

The war flared up around the world, as Spain’s colonies fell to American arms

“THE VICTORY CONFIRMS AMERICAN NAVAL DOMINANCE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE”

1 AMERICAN LANDINGS AT DAIQUIRI

22 JUNE 1898

Opening the Santiago de Cuba campaign, American forces come ashore from transport ships at Daiquiri, a small village 23 kilometres (14 miles) east of the island’s second largest city. They march overland to attack Spanish defensive positions and lay siege to Santiago de Cuba.

2 BATTLE OF SAN JUAN HEIGHTS

1 JULY 1898

Troops of the American Fifth Corps, including the famed Rough Riders and the Buffalo Soldiers, capture the high ground at San Juan and Kettle Hills, sealing the fate of the Spanish garrison defending the city of Santiago de Cuba. The city fell to the Americans two weeks later.

3 BATTLE OF SANTIAGO DE CUBA

3 JULY 1898

The combined North Atlantic and Flying Squadrons of the US Navy decimate a Spanish naval force attempting to run the American blockade of the harbour at Santiago de Cuba. The victory confirms American naval dominance in the Western Hemisphere, as another Spanish flotilla retires to protect its home country’s coastline.

4 BOMBARDMENT OF SAN JUAN

12 MAY 1898

The naval guns of the US North Atlantic Squadron inflict considerable damage on Spanish fortifications at San Juan, the Puerto Rican capital. An American invasion follows in the south of the island, and a series of inconclusive clashes occurs. Military action on Puerto Rico is suspended with the ceasefire in August.

5 BATTLE OF MANILA BAY

1 MAY 1898

The US Navy’s Asiatic Squadron destroys a Spanish naval force and suffers virtually no damage in a one-sided affair. every Spanish warship engaged is sunk, and the spectacular victory gives the Americans control of the waters surrounding the Philippines. The American commander, Commodore George Dewey, becomes a hero.

6 AMERICAN TROOPS CAPTURE GUAM

20 JUNE 1898

American troops disembark from the cruiser USS Charleston at the capital city of Agana and execute the bloodless capture of the island of Guam in the Marianas archipelago. The Spanish garrison on the island is unaware that war has been declared and surrenders. 54 Spanish soldiers are taken prisoner.

7 BATTLE OF MANILA

13 AUGUST 1898

The Battle of Manila, during which American troops occupy the Philippine capital city, is an occupation involving little gunfire. The occupiers march into the city without knowing that a day earlier a ceasefire has been concluded ending armed hostilities.

8 FIRST REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

12 JUNE 1898

Days after their victory at the Battle of Alapan, Filipino guerrillas under emilio Aguinaldo proclaim the First Republic of the Philippines. They join American troops fighting against the Spanish but ultimately turn against them when the United States takes possession of the islands. A bloody insurrection follows.

“THE SPANISH GARRISON ON THE ISLAND IS UNAWARE THAT WAR HAS BEEN DECLARED AND SURRENDERS”

RIGHT: American warships bombard the city of San Juan in Puerto Rico, the island's capital LEFT: This landing team from the gunboat USS Gloucester came ashore at the village of Guanica, Puerto Rico LEFT: American soldiers come ashore at Daiquiri,...

THE US NAVY COMPLETELY OUTCLASSED THE SPANISH NAVAL SQUADRON IN THE PACIFIC, SUFFERING VERY LITTLE DAMAGE BELOW: Spanish prisoners of war pose for a photograph shortly after their capture during the American occupation of Manila