The Spanish-American War Multiple Choice Quiz | War History

Answer: Maine

Commissioned in September, 1895, the Maine displaced 6,682 tons, carried a crew of 354, and had a maximum speed of 17 knots. As a second-class battleship, Maine carried four 10-in guns as the main battery with six 6-in guns as secondary armament. Additional armament included seven, 6-lb and eight, 1-lb cannons along with four, 14-in torpedo tubes. Attached to the North Atlantic Squadron, Maine remained along the eastern coast of the United States until dispatched from Key West, FL to Cuba. Under command of Captain Charles D. Sigsbee, the U.S.S. Maine arrived in Havana Harbor on January 25, 1898 as a show of strength by the United States and to demonstrate its interest in the deteriorating political conditions in Cuba.

Answer: April

On March 28, 1898, the naval court of inquiry concluded: "...that the ship was destroyed by the explosion of a submarine mine, which caused the partial explosion of two or more of her forward magazines...[lacking credible evidence]...fixing the responsibility for the destruction...upon any person or persons.".
Despite the formal report from the U.S. Navy, members of the press such as William R. Hearst of the "Journal" and Joseph Pulitzer of the "World", used the sinking as a rally to push the United States towards war with Spain. Hearst published pictures and fabricated an elaborate story of how Spanish terrorists had attached an underwater mine to the bottom of the Maine's hull, detonating it from shore. War with Spain was declared on April 25, 1898.

Answer: William McKinley

William McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio in 1843. He enlisted (1861) as a private in the Union Army during the Civil War but ended the war as a commissioned officer. He practiced law in Canton, OH, was elected to Congress (1877-1891), served as Governor of Ohio for two terms (1891-1895), and was elected the 25th president of the United States (1897-1901). During his presidency, the economy moved out of a depression, multi-corporate trusts and monopolies gained strength, gold was adopted as the standard, and the country fought the war with Spain. McKinley did not smoke, drink, play cards, or attend the theater. McKinley's second term ended in September, 1901, when he was shot by an anarchist.

Answer: Maria Cristina

Maria Cristina was born on July 21, 1858 in Brno, Moravia to Archduke Karl Ferdinand and Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska (both of Austria). Maria Christina married Alfonso XII in November, 1879, but he died while she was pregnant. Until the birth of Maria's child, the throne was in abeyance: if the unborn child was a male, he would be king.

However, a female child would place the elder daughter, Maria Mercedes, on the throne. Maria Christina ruled as regent until her son was born: Alfonso XIII. Maria Christina continued as regent until Alfonso XIII ascended the throne in 1902.

Answer: Tampa

Tampa, FL was chosen for the following combined reasons: deep-water bay, proximity to Cuba, and rail connections between Tampa, its harbor, and more northern cities. Unfortunately, soldiers drilled in woollen uniforms in subtropical conditions (rain, humidity, and heat)!

Answer: Manila Bay and Santiago Harbor

On May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey aboard his flagship Olympia engaged the Spanish fleet. Dewey commanded four protected cruisers (including his flagship), two gunboats, and one revenue cutter, supply ship, and collier. His squadron sank three enemy ships by gunfire, burned another eight vessels, and captured two ships along with a variety of launches.
On the morning of July 3, 1898, the Spanish squadron - under the command of Admiral Cervera - attempted to leave Santiago Harbor. Although Admiral Sampson of the U.S. Navy was the commanding officer, he was absent from battle. Instead, Rear-admiral Winfield Scott Schley was the senior U.S. Naval officer on station. The U.S. squadron included four battleships, one armored cruiser, and two armed yachts. By contrast, the Spanish squadron consisted of four armored cruisers and two torpedo boat destroyers. Schley's squadron sank two ships, while the Spanish commanders grounded the remaining damaged vessels in their fleet to avoid sinking.

Answer: Hawaiian islands

Never ruled by Spain, the Hawaiian Islands had the following forms of government: monarchy (1795-1874), constitutional monarchy (1887-1893), provisional government (1893-1894), and a democratic republic (1894 onwards). The Hawaiian Islands were annexed to the United States on August 12, 1898.

Answer: Daiquiri

The port city of Daiquiri was chosen as the invasion point for an amphibious landing. Recommended by the Cuban rebels, Daiquiri was believed to be lightly defended. Prior to the invasion, the Spanish garrison pulled out of Daiquiri, burning bridges and buildings and destroying the railway station and tracks.

Answer: Paris

The Spanish-American Peace Commission met in Paris, France to negotiate the end of hostilities. Spain relinquished its rule over Cuba but ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands to the United States. In return, The United States offered $20 million to Spain in compensation.

The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty on February 6, 1899, and Maria Cristina of Spain signed her copy on March 19. The official end of the Spanish-American War was April 11, 1899.

Answer: Canary Islands

Located off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands have been part of Spain since 1479. The island group was recognized as an autonomous region in 1982, and the current ruling party is called the Canarian Coalition.