US Capture Of Guam

in #history5 years ago

In the Spanish-American War of 1898, the bulk of the fighting occured Cuba and the Philippines. However, the Spanish territory of Guam was quite remote, only getting mail and news about once a month. The war caused mail to arrive late to the island, which was not uncommon anyway, resulting in the Governor and people of Guam being completely unaware that were at war.


USS Charleston at the harbor of Agana, Guam.

The Americans sent a boat to take Guam. As the ship entered the harbour, they fired several shots on the fort, but stopped after no fire was returned. The Spanish just assumed the Americans were giving them a salute, and came out to apologize that they could not reciprocate, as they had recently run out of gunpowder and were waiting for resupply. The Americans then informed them that the two countries were at war! The Spanish officials peacefully surrendered, becoming prisoners of war on the American ship.

The Americans did not even leave any men to garrison the fort, leaving the island to a single US citizen living there, who promised he would look after things. America took the island intact without a single casualty on either side. That is how Guam came to be a US territory, with limited representation in the US Congress. Someday, the island may even become a US state.

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its begin after US demand from Spain met with a peaceful response to the Cuban struggle for independence

When i student history i read that many americans agree to put their new nation as a colonial power These anti colonialists therefore opposed the annexation of this country They did not want to keep the nationals of any country by force risking future involvement in other wars or facing competition from the products of the colonies or workers The anti colonial forces were so strong in the Senate

Wow that's incredible, i didn't know too much about Guam during the Spanish American conflict.. I wonder if Guam has thrived since then.. definitely going to look it up. Thanks for the post

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