Painting depicting the explosion of The Maine battleship.

Diplomacy Classroom: The 1898 Spanish-American Conflict

1:00 pm

Virtual

While often overlooked, the Spanish-American Conflict of 1898 was a major turning point in American diplomatic history and American history more broadly. NMAD welcomed Matt Regan from the State Department’s Office of the Historian to examine the role of diplomacy in the 1898 Spanish-American Conflict.

Matt helped us understand the Spanish-American Conflict of 1898 and its role in shaping the United States’ identity in the 20th century. The 1898 Treaty of Paris, which ended the conflict, brought the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Cuba (temporarily) under U.S. control. Further, the conflict and subsequent negotiations with Spain sparked a global shift in American interests and identity. 

Listen to program highlights through the below timestamps

  • What was the world like in 1898? 4:50 
  • What caused the Spanish American War? 9:12
  • Who were the key players? 13:53
  • How did the war play out? 17:28
  • What was the immediate outcome of the conflict? 20:42
  • How did the war have a long-term impact on the world? 27:51

Watch Diplomacy Classroom: The 1898 Spanish-American Conflict