We remember today The Treaty of Paris signed in 1898. It concluded the short Spanish American War of the same year.
The Spanish empire was largely dissolved in the 19th century. From Mexico to Argentina, most of the old colonies declared their independence from Spain.
Cuba remained a colony. In fact, my paternal grandparents were born in the island during the colonial period or 1892. It was really interesting a few years ago when my mother showed my “abuela’s” birth certificate.
The treaty followed years of fighting for Cuban independence, the Maine incident and the short war that made Teddy Roosevelt’s rough riders famous.
It all ended for Spain when Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the US. Also, the Philippines were bought for $20 million, and Cuba became a US protectorate until independence in 1902.
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