The Colonial War of 1898: Causes and Effects
Index
- 1. Definition
- 2. Chronology
- 3. Background
- 4. Development
- 5. Consequences
- a) Demographic
- b) Economic
- c) Military
- d) Change of International Status
- 6. Regeneracionismo
- 7. Historical Vocabulary
- 8. Biography of General Weyler
Definition
The Colonial War, also known as the War of ’98, refers to the crisis that followed the independence of Spanish colonies from Spain, culminating in the loss of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Background
The problems did not end with the agreement of 1878. From then until 1895, the Cuban question evolved:
- Between 1879 and 1880, the *Guerra Chiquita* (Little War) occurred, an uprising of Cuban independentists.
- The Little War and the Ten Years’ War had two major consequences: they prompted Cuban nationalism and advocated for the economic penetration of US capital.
- While pursuing measures for the normalization of relations between Spain and its colony, the government introduced significant political reforms but did not grant autonomy because of strong opposition. Another important precedent was the loss during the regency of Maria Cristina, widow of Alfonso XII, who spent 17 years as regent until her son came of age.
Development
After the Revolutionary War, Spain retained only the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, and the Philippine archipelago.
The colonial problem of Cuba had been a major concern since the beginning of the Restoration. This situation led to the uprising for independence in Cuba known as the *Grito de Baire*. The insurrection was planned by the Cuban Revolutionary Party founded by José Martí. After his death, the rebels managed to sweep across the island; by early 1896, they reached the vicinity of Havana. The Spanish response was to try to stifle the uprising as soon as possible. They sent General Martínez-Campos, who, after implementing a diplomatic and negotiating policy, adopted a tactic of crushing the uprising starting in 1896. With the failure of Martínez-Campos, General Weyler took over. The new captain conducted a fierce war of attrition. Spain had tried by all means to avoid a confrontation with the United States. This country, thanks to the tabloid press, was in favor of military intervention in Cuba. The incident that led to the outbreak of war was the explosion of the US battleship *Maine*. This was the main reason that the United States declared war on Spain. The war was very short, and it was decided at sea. Obviously, the Spanish army could not cope with a war against a country of that size. Following the US defeat, a peace treaty was signed in Paris. Spain recognized the independence of Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico, the island of Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.
Consequences
The loss of the colonies was not an isolated case: it was part of a redistribution process between the major colonial powers in the late nineteenth century and affected other countries. The consequences in Spain were:
- From a demographic standpoint, colonial wars resulted in a very high number of deaths, mostly from infectious diseases rather than combat.
- From an economic point of view, the defeat meant the loss of the colonial market.
- Resentment of the military towards politics, growth of popular anti-militarism, and a political crisis. The Liberal government of Sagasta was replaced by the Conservative government of Silvela.
- Change of international status: Spain had ceased to be an empire.
- Overseas colonialism and a foreign policy of retreat were replaced by greater involvement in Africa.