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Quizzes > History > Wars & Historic Events

Spanish-American War Quiz: Think You Can Ace It?

Think you know Spanish-American War trivia? Discover what fueled the conflict and dive in!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration shows layered silhouettes of a soldier cannon and battleship around quiz title on sky blue background

Ready to unlock the secrets of 1898? This Spanish-American War quiz invites history buffs and curious learners to uncover what the spanish-american war was primarily fought over - and unpacks how yellow journalism, economic interests, and geopolitical strategy fuelled the fight. Test your Spanish-American War trivia with questions on the USS Maine explosion quiz segment and the key battles of the Spanish-American War that sealed America's rise as a world power. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or new to the era, you'll sharpen your knowledge. After this challenge, broaden your view with our Mexican-American War quiz or relive epic clashes in the Civil War Quiz . Dive in now!

What year did the Spanish–American War begin?
1895
1898
1901
1890
The Spanish–American War officially began in April 1898 when the United States declared war on Spain after rising tensions over Cuba and the sinking of the USS Maine. Hostilities were brief, lasting only a few months before an armistice in August 1898. The quick victory marked America’s emergence as a global power. Learn more
Which event is considered the immediate catalyst for U.S. entry into the war?
Sinking of the RMS Lusitania
Zimmerman Telegram
Sinking of the USS Maine
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, galvanized U.S. public opinion and was used by the press to demand war against Spain. Though the actual cause of the explosion remains debated, it became the rallying cry, “Remember the Maine!” for U.S. intervention. This incident is widely recognized as the spark that ignited the conflict. Source
Which nation did the United States declare war on in 1898?
Germany
Spain
Britain
France
The United States declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898, to support Cuban independence and respond to perceived Spanish atrocities. Spain was then one of the last significant colonial powers in the Western Hemisphere. The conflict quickly spread to the Philippines, another Spanish colony. Details
Where did the USS Maine explode, triggering U.S. intervention?
San Juan Harbor
Havana Harbor
Manila Bay
Puerto Cabello
The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba, on February 15, 1898. American newspapers quickly blamed Spain, inflaming public outrage. This incident led directly to calls for U.S. intervention. It remains a pivotal moment in both U.S. and Cuban history. Read more
Who was President of the United States during the Spanish–American War?
Theodore Roosevelt
William McKinley
Grover Cleveland
William Howard Taft
William McKinley was the U.S. president from 1897 to 1901 and led the nation during the Spanish–American War. He initially hesitated but ultimately asked Congress to declare war in April 1898. McKinley’s administration oversaw the quick victory and negotiated the Treaty of Paris. More here
Which territory was NOT under Spanish control at the start of the war?
Hawaii
Cuba
Guam
Puerto Rico
Hawaii was an independent kingdom until its overthrow in 1893 and became a U.S. territory in 1898, but it was never controlled by Spain. Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam were all possessions of Spain by the late 19th century. Spain lost these territories following its defeat. Source
What rallying cry reflected American sentiment after the Maine sank?
Free Cuba Now!
Remember the Maine!
To Hell with Spain!
Cuba Libre!
“Remember the Maine!” became the slogan for U.S. intervention after the battleship’s explosion in Havana Harbor. It encapsulated public anger toward Spain and a desire for retaliation. Newspapers paired it with “To Hell with Spain!” to maximize impact. These cries fueled the push to war. More info
What was the principal goal of the United States in declaring war on Spain?
Annex Hawaii
Defeat Germany
Liberate Cuba from Spanish rule
Control Caribbean trade routes
The main stated objective of the U.S. was to liberate Cuba from Spanish colonial rule and support Cuban independence. While strategic and economic interests played a role, freeing Cuba was the public rationale. The Teller Amendment explicitly disavowed U.S. annexation of the island. Details
Who led the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, known as the Rough Riders?
Leonard Wood
Theodore Roosevelt
William Shafter
Matthew Cushing
Theodore Roosevelt resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to form and lead the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry regiment, during the war. His leadership during the Battle of San Juan Hill made him a national hero. Roosevelt’s fame in turn propelled him to the presidency. Source
Which Cuban patriot helped inspire the independence movement before the war?
Fulgencio Batista
José Martí
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Maximo Gomez
José Martí was a leading figure in Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain. He organized exile communities in the U.S. and wrote extensively advocating for Cuban freedom. Martí’s death in battle in 1895 made him a martyr for the cause. More info
What did the Teller Amendment stipulate?
Grant full U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans
Prohibit the U.S. from annexing Cuba
Allow the U.S. to keep the Philippines
Authorize immediate U.S. occupation of Cuba
Passed in April 1898, the Teller Amendment declared the U.S. would not establish permanent control over Cuba. It assured both domestic and international audiences that American intervention aimed solely at Cuban independence. This amendment was later superseded by the Platt Amendment after the war. Read more
At which engagement did Roosevelt’s Rough Riders famously charge?
Battle of Manila Bay
Battle of San Juan Hill
Battle of Las Guasimas
Battle of El Caney
The most celebrated action of the Rough Riders was their uphill charge against Spanish positions at the Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898. This action contributed significantly to the fall of Santiago de Cuba. Roosevelt’s leadership there became legendary. Details
Approximately how long did the Spanish–American War last?
Two years
Four months
One month
Eighteen months
The Spanish–American War was brief, lasting from April to August 1898—about four months. Hostilities ceased with an armistice on August 12, 1898. A formal peace treaty, the Treaty of Paris, was signed in December of the same year. More here
Which U.S. naval commodore won the Battle of Manila Bay?
George Dewey
Alfred Thayer Mahan
William T. Sampson
Winfield Scott Schley
Commodore George Dewey led the U.S. Asiatic Squadron to a decisive victory over the Spanish Pacific Squadron at Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. His success eliminated Spanish naval power in the Philippines. Dewey became one of America’s most celebrated naval heroes. Details
Under the Treaty of Paris (1898), which colony did Spain cede to the U.S. for $20 million?
Puerto Rico
Guam
The Philippines
Cuba
Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States for $20 million under the Treaty of Paris, signed December 10, 1898. This payment was intended to compensate Spain for its former colony. The acquisition triggered debates over imperialism in the U.S. Source
Which amendment, passed in 1901, allowed U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs?
Teller Amendment
Platt Amendment
Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty
Jones–Shafroth Act
The Platt Amendment (1901) replaced the Teller Amendment’s restrictions by outlining conditions under which the U.S. could intervene in Cuba. It also established the naval base at Guantánamo Bay. The amendment effectively made Cuba a U.S. protectorate until 1934. Learn more
Which style of journalism significantly swayed U.S. public opinion in favor of war?
Muckraking
Yellow journalism
Telegraph reporting
Objective journalism
Yellow journalism, practiced by publishers like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, sensationalized events in Cuba, exaggerating Spanish atrocities. These stories stirred American outrage and increased popular support for intervention. The media’s role is seen as crucial to drumming up a pro-war mood. Source
What was the most likely cause of the USS Maine explosion, based on later investigations?
Spanish mine
Accidental magazine explosion
German sabotage
Collision with a reef
Modern investigations suggest an internal magazine explosion was the most likely cause of the Maine sinking, rather than a Spanish mine. Original U.S. naval inquiries blamed a mine, but later forensic studies pointed to spontaneous combustion in a coal bunker. The true cause remains debated. Details
What strategic outcome resulted from the destruction of the Spanish fleet at Santiago de Cuba?
It blocked Spanish reinforcements to Puerto Rico
It secured U.S. naval dominance in the Caribbean
It prevented Spanish control of the Pacific
It freed the Philippines instantly
The defeat of the Spanish fleet at Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898, eliminated Spain’s naval power in the Caribbean. This victory prevented relief of Spanish forces in Cuba and secured U.S. control of the sea lanes. It effectively ended major combat operations on the island. Learn more
Who led Filipino forces against Spain and later opposed U.S. rule?
Jose Rizal
Emilio Aguinaldo
Antonio Luna
Andrés Bonifacio
Emilio Aguinaldo was a key leader of the Philippine Revolution against Spain and later led Filipino resistance during the Philippine–American War. He proclaimed Philippine independence in 1898 but clashed with U.S. forces over sovereignty. Aguinaldo’s role highlights the war’s imperial consequences. Source
How much did the United States pay Spain for the Philippines?
$10 million
$20 million
$50 million
No payment was made
Under the Treaty of Paris (1898), the United States agreed to pay Spain $20 million as compensation for the Philippines. This sum was intended to cover Spain’s colonial infrastructure and claims by Spanish citizens. The payment sparked debate over the morality of imperialism. Details
What shift in U.S. foreign policy resulted from victory in the war?
Abandonment of the Monroe Doctrine
Adoption of a policy of isolationism
Emergence as an imperial power
Immediate focus on European alliances
The victory marked America’s emergence as an imperial power with overseas territories across the Atlantic and Pacific. The U.S. acquired Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, showcasing a major shift from continental expansion to global reach. This new role influenced U.S. diplomacy and military strategy for decades. Learn more
What was the main argument of the Anti-Imperialist League?
Imperialism was a betrayal of American ideals
The Philippines should be sold to Britain
Colonization was necessary for economic growth
Cuba should be annexed permanently
The Anti-Imperialist League argued that imperialism violated principles of self-determination and consent of the governed enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. They opposed U.S. annexation of the Philippines and other territories won from Spain. Prominent members included Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie. Source
Who authored The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, a work that shaped U.S. naval policy after the war?
Alfred Thayer Mahan
Theodore Roosevelt
William McKinley
Henry Cabot Lodge
Alfred Thayer Mahan’s 1890 book argued that naval supremacy was key to national power and influenced U.S. expansion of its fleet after the Spanish–American War. His ideas justified the construction of battleships and overseas bases. Mahan is considered one of the most influential naval strategists in history. Learn more
What term describes the aggressive foreign policy sentiment in the U.S. that pushed for war against Spain?
Isolationism
Jingoism
Detente
Noninterventionism
Jingoism refers to extreme patriotism and a belligerent stance in foreign affairs, advocating readiness to use military force. In 1898, many American politicians and newspaper editors adopted a jingoistic attitude toward Spain, pushing the nation toward war. This sentiment helped overcome earlier hesitations about intervention. Source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the war's primary causes -

    Understand why the Spanish-American War was primarily fought over by examining economic, political, and ideological motivations behind the conflict.

  2. Analyze the USS Maine explosion -

    Analyze the significance of the USS Maine explosion and its impact on public opinion and the outbreak of hostilities.

  3. Identify key battles -

    Identify and describe key battles of the Spanish-American War, including their strategies, outcomes, and historical importance.

  4. Recall major figures -

    Recall the major figures and leaders involved in the Spanish-American War and assess their roles in shaping the conflict's course.

  5. Evaluate war outcomes -

    Evaluate the short- and long-term consequences of the Spanish-American War for the United States, Spain, and their territories.

  6. Differentiate historical perspectives -

    Differentiate between various historical interpretations and trivia surrounding the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Economic and Imperial Ambitions -

    By the late 19th century, the U.S. sought new markets and strategic naval bases in the Caribbean and Pacific, reflecting the era's imperialist trends documented by the Library of Congress. Understanding this helps clarify why the spanish-american war was primarily fought over both economic gain and national prestige.

  2. Cuban Independence Movement -

    American sympathies for Cuban rebels grew out of long-standing support for self-determination, a theme highlighted in U.S. Congressional records. Reviewing the Insurrectos' struggle and U.S. diplomatic pressures shows how humanitarian concerns intertwined with strategic interests.

  3. USS Maine Explosion and Yellow Journalism -

    The February 1898 sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor triggered a surge of popular outrage fueled by sensationalist papers, as analyzed by the National Archives. To remember its impact, use the mnemonic "Remember the Maine!" which captures how media-driven emotion pushed the U.S. closer to declaring war.

  4. Major Naval and Ground Engagements -

    Key battles like Manila Bay and San Juan Hill demonstrated U.S. naval superiority and the effectiveness of volunteer regiments, topics covered in U.S. Naval Academy studies. Mapping these campaigns helps students grasp the strategic sweep of a conflict fought on both sea and land.

  5. Treaty of Paris and U.S. Territorial Expansion -

    The December 1898 Treaty of Paris ended hostilities, ceding Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S., as recorded in State Department archives. Analyzing this outcome reveals how victory reshaped America into an overseas power, completing the war's imperial ambitions.

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