spoils of war guam, phillipines, pr, cuba

• The Action: On the morning of May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey's Asiatic Squadron steamed into Manila Bay and engaged the Spanish Pacific fleet. 

• The Outcome: In a few hours, Dewey's forces sank or captured the entire Spanish squadron. There were no American fatalities, and damage to the U.S. ships was negligible. 

• Significance: This decisive naval victory eliminated any Spanish naval threat, secured a vital repair and refueling base, and signaled the beginning of the end of Spanish rule in the Philippines. 

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​Dewey defeats the spanish navy (part I)

The Land Capture (August 13, 1898)

• The Need for Troops: After the naval victory, Dewey requested ground troops to capture the city of Manila. 

• The Reinforcements: U.S. Army forces, organized as the VIII Army Corps, arrived in July 1898. 

• The Agreement: The Spanish forces in Manila were willing to surrender to the Americans but not to the Filipino insurgents, who were also besieging the city. 

• The Staged Battle: U.S. and Spanish authorities arranged for a bloodless, albeit noisy, "capture" of Manila on August 13, 1898, allowing the United States to take formal control of the city. 

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