Spanish-American War Facts for Kids

Spanish-American War
  • Conflict Name: Spanish–American War
  • Conflict Start: April 21st, 1898
  • Conflict End: August 13th, 1898
  • Conflict Belligerents: United States and Spain
  • Conflict Location: Cuba, Guam (Asia-Pacific), Philippines and Puerto Rico (Caribbean Sea)
  • Conflict Winner: United States
  • Death Toll: Between 1,100 and 1,300

16 Spanish-American War Facts for Kids

  1. The Spanish-American War was an armed conflict between the United States and Spain.
  2. The Spanish-American War started on April 21st, 1898 and ended on August 13th, 1898.
  3. The Spanish-American War was fought between the United States of America and Spain.
  4. The Spanish-American War was fought over Cuba and their quest for independence, which was supported by the United States of America.
  5. The Spanish-American War was won by the United States of America.
  6. The United States victory in the Spanish-American War lead to the Treaty of Paris in 1898. The treaty ceded Guam, Philippines and Puerto Rico to the United States. Spain also relinquished all claims to Cuba.
  7. It’s estimated that over 15,000 military personnel were killed during the Spanish-American War.
  8. Most of the deaths during the Spanish-American War were not from combat, but rather from disease.
  9. The Spanish-American War resulted in 29 major battles. Spain and the United States both won 11 each, while seven battles didn’t have any clear winner.
  10. On July 3rd, 1898 the Battle of Santiago de Cuba was fought.
  11. The Battle of Santiago de Cuba was a major naval battle between the United States Navy and the Spanish Navy.
  12. The Battle of Santiago de Cuba resulted in the destruction of the Spanish Caribbean Squadron.
  13. The Battle of Santiago de Cuba resulted in a decisive victory for the United States Navy and ultimately sealed the United States victory in the Spanish-American War.
  14. The phrase, “Remember the Maine!” was war’s most famous slogan in the United States.
  15. On February 15th, 1898 the U.S. Battleship Maine was sunk by an explosion, and 260 United States Navy servicemen lost their lives. This incident encouraged the United States to go to war with Spain. Ironically, its still not known what sunk this battleship or even if the Spanish were involved.
  16. The Spanish-American War cost the United States $250 million dollars in 1898, which would be $7.69 billion dollars with inflation in 2019.

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