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The Spanish-American War Was Won At Sea (Not On San Juan Hill)
Forgotten naval battles that sealed Spain’s fate
The Spanish American War is best known for yellow journalism, the Rough Riders, and the demise of the Spanish Empire. The Spanish American War is not known for its epic naval battles. Other wars of the era, including the Russo-Japanese War, featured much more famous naval engagements than the Spanish American War. However, despite Teddy Roosevelt’s tour de force of public relations and personality, the Spanish American War was won at sea, not on land.
The United States' systemic destruction of the Spanish navy across the globe left Spain’s colonies vulnerable to US invasion which ultimately forced the end of the war. Without supremacy at sea, Teddy Roosevelt never could have made his famous ride up San Juan Hill.
From the minute war was declared against Spain the United States navy was all over the Spanish squadrons from Cuba to the Philippines. All of the major land engagements in the war took place on islands that were heavily supported by American forces at sea.
