• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
The Spanish-American War

With the beginning of a new year, the Spanish-American War experienced a burst of renewed activity from both sides, as the Americans sought to finish off the wounded Spanish and secure the lands they had occupied. The Spanish meanwhile, were aiming to make the invaders pay for every inch of ground they took. Both sides were tired of war, having been involved in other recent conflicts, but neither side was willing to give up the fight yet.

The Philippines, theatre of the biggest US success so far in the war, experienced little action. Some Spanish officers and men were sent to provoke an insurgency against the Americans, but none were successful, either giving up en route, being intercepted by US patrols of the islands or killed by the Filipinos they tried to recruit, who gave a clear message that they would tolerate no foreign ruler, no matter their nationality. All was not good news for the US however, as they suffered a large setback in the form of native Filipino guerilla action against them. The US forces tried to set up a military governorship to start the process of integrating the islands into the US, but met with severe resistance from the Filipino people, who, using both traditional weapons and those looted from the dead, struck at isolated patrols and outposts. Casualties were light for the US occupation forces, but they lost effective control of much of the countryside, and many of the smaller and more remote islands were under local control. [-1,000 Regulars from the United States, Philippines mostly under local control]

CoffinsPhilippine.jpg

1. As the US death toll increases, coffins pile up in a Manila warehouse​

Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, the war was becoming more bloody by the day. The first action of the year took place off the coast of Puerto Rico, whilst the thick mud which coated the island of Cuba was still not dry enough for ground warfare. A US fleet, on it's way East to bring the war uncomfortably close to the Spanish mainland, delayed it's journey in order to shoot up the Spanish shipping which was sailing around the coast or anchored in the harbour. After sinking the local naval force that tried to stop them, they proceeded to spend the remainder of the day firing shells into the harbour, setting it ablaze and denying its use to the Spanish. The US fleet was not unharmed however, as fire from a fort overlooking the harbour put a well aimed shot through the stern of the USS Independence, destroying her steering gear and causing her to tear out her hull on some rocks. [-1 Small ship from the US, -2 Small ships from Spain, San Juan harbour unusable]

The US fleet then continued on across the Atlantic, with the goal of attacking the Canary islands. The American plan was certainly daring, and they committed a large portion of their naval strength to the enterprise, in a move clearly designed to strike fear into the hearts of the Spanish people and end their will to support the war. The US fleet of 10 large and 29 small ships reached the Canaries on the 23rd of April, and proceeded to put ashore their marines, who sacked the towns and loaded their ships full of plunder. The Spanish governor, who bravely led his guards and other forces in a final charge against the US marines was found with 9 musket balls in his body. With the islands resistance broken and the ships loaded with as many valuables as they could carry, the US troops boarded their ships and prepared to set sail back to America. Unfortunately, they had spent too long on the islands looting, and in that time, a small fishing boat, which had fled the islands on the day the Americans arrived, managed to bring word to the mainland about the invasion. Mustering as many ships as he could, the Spanish Admiral Mirandez sailed south with all haste, hoping to catch the US fleet by surprise. Arriving just as the US ships set sail, the Spanish formed up for battle, causing the startled Americans to do likewise.

The Spanish fleet, made up of 8 large and 40 small ships, outnumbered the American one, they had the wind on their side, and were not weighed down by loot as the American ships were. However, many of the Spanish ships were highly out of date, and their crews lacked the quality of the Americans. Both fleets formed into several columns, then proceeded to sail directly at each other, neither willing to turn and have his line broken. On the US ships, the vast amount of loot taken caused problems, and some captains ordered it dumped overboard, much to the annoyance of their crew. The battle that followed was incredibly bloody, with the thick smoke causing many collisions and incidents of friendly fire. Spanish and US marines and sailors fought hand to hand, cannons thundered and individual captains, quickly loosing track of the big picture, forgot about trying to follow orders and instead focused on winning their own little battles.

In one strange incident, in which the USS Defender boarded the Spanish ship Carlos II, the crews found themselves in command of the others ship, both sides having been successful in their assault. The Spanish crew, now in control of a better ship and outnumbered by the Americans, quickly broke off the boarding action and proceeded to make for port with their prize. Unfortunately, they forgot to lower the US ensign which was flying from the ship, and many were killed by their own guns before they could hoist a makeshift Spanish flag.

Sea%20Battle%201861.jpg

2. Fighting aboard the USS Defender​

In a battle that seemed to last an eternity, the 2 fleets exchanged gunfire at extremely close range, until night began to fall, and both sides broke off to lick their wounds. The Americans had taken a rough beating, losing 8 ships to the Spanish 4, and had lost much of their loot. Furthermore, many of their ships were damaged, and a further 2 did not manage to survive the crossing back to America. The Spanish meanwhile, managed to return without further loss to the mainland, and the crews were paraded through Madrid in celebration of the event. In reality however, neither side was as happy as it could be with the events. The Spanish fleet had inflicted heavy losses and proven that they could defend their home waters, but had lost ships that it could ill afford to replace, and had suffered much damage itself. The American fleet had also inflicted losses, had plundered the Canary islands and had shown the Spanish that they could strike at their home waters, but they had paid a heavy price for their bold action. [-3 large ships from USA, - 7 small ships from the USA, -2 large ships from Spain, -2 small ships from Spain, +5 gold to the US]

In the Caribbean, the war didn't pick up pace until June the 7th, when the US fleet in Santiago de Cuba harbour was attacked in the middle of the night. Swimming through the warm water, several hundred Spaniards and Cuban allies boarded ships or placed explosives on their hulls. Fierce close combat on board the ships ensued, lit by the burning ruins of 3 ships which had been hit with explosives. The Spanish were too few to overcome the US crews, even with the advantage of surprise, and the US marines gave a good account of themselves, using any available weapons to drive back the Spanish attackers. As the morning sun began to rise, the daylight revealed the damage of the raid. 3 US ships were wrecked, and due to the position of their anchoring provided a large obstacle to the use of the harbour. Whilst the Spanish had not actually managed to capture any of the ships, the US Admiral, afraid of a repeat of the night's action, took his fleet to sea as a precaution. [-2 large ships from the USA, -1 small ship from the USA]

USSMaine.jpg

3. The wreck of the steamer USS Maine in Santiago de Cuba Harbour, after she was destroyed by a Spanish explosive​

This good news for the Spanish was severely dampened by the realisation that the US blockade was beginning to take its toll on the defenders of the island. Food was running low, powder and ammunition lower still. Without naval support, they simply could not get the supplies they needed to continue the fight against the Americans. In the East, they did try and mount an assault upon the US positions, opening with a dawn barrage and then mounting a bayonet charge against the dug in US troops. Taking heavy losses against the superior US firepower, they made some progress against the US lines, and brutal trench fighting followed. They were forced to retreat however, and as news reached them of the arrival of 30,000 extra US troops to reinforce their current foothold, as well as a further landing of 40,000 troops on the western end of the island, they fell back to regroup with the other Spanish forces near Havana. [-1,000 Regulars from the USA, -500 Regulars from Spain, -1,500 Conscripts from Spain]

Meanwhile in the west of Cuba, a reserve force of Spanish troops prepared to mount a delaying action against the new threat to allow all Spanish forces to regroup for the defence of Havana. Even as the first US soldiers of the 20th Maine planted their regimental flag on a cliff overlooking the landing grounds, the Spanish forces were setting up traps, preparing to blow up bridges and looking for good ambush sites. As the US forces advanced inland, they were met with fierce guerilla action, both from the Spanish forces and the local populace. In many places, they found themselves pushing artillery across muddy stream beds or throwing themselves into ditches as musket fire ripped from the bushes. Losses were light, but the advance was delayed long enough to allow the Spanish to regroup their entire force near Havana, and there prepare for what looked like their final stand. [-1,000 Regulars from the USA, -500 Conscripts from Spain]

The CSA also decided to get involved in the messy affair which had so far claimed thousands of lives. President Lee ordered General Jackson to take 20,000 volunteers and sail to Cuba, in order to fight under the Spanish flag. Lee had originally planned to unveil his intervention in a speech to Congress, but the information was leaked to a newspaper by one of his household servants, and due to the public outcry against a potential restart to the Civil War that followed, he was forced to withdraw the idea. He did however order the movement of 50,000 Confederate troops to the Union border, in an effort to threaten the US into withdrawing. The US public, annoyed at recent losses, angry at what they perceived as an American attempt at colonialism and also fearing a restart of the Civil War, protests fiercely against any action which could bring conflict with the CSA. It is clear in both the North and the South, that should a war break out again between the Union and Confederacy, so soon after the last one, that the Government would fall. [-1 Stability from the USA, -1 Stability from the CSA]

Gov_james_b_ray_of_indiana_arrives_to_pardon_a_murderer.jpg

4. A prominent businessman is attacked by a group of anti-war protestors​

Havana, now under siege by 80,000 US soldiers, many ships and hundreds of guns was in a bad situation. The 22,500 strong Spanish garrison was low on supply and the US fleet dominated the sea. Fearing all to be lost, they prepared to make their final stand, aware that the US forces would likely treat any surrender as another trick, and that to do so now simply wasn't an option. Tired, dirty, hungry, wounded and determined, they dug in around Havana, vowing that the American invader would be made to pay for Havana, building by building, street by street, block by block.
 
OOC: I'll repost this after I've read the update - Meh, situations the same. Not sure why you feel that everyone should see it, I really couldn't care less.

The Spanish will withdraw from the Caribbean and release sovereignty over their holdings in the region. The Union shall establish a protectorate over the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, and the independence of Hispaniola will be recognised officially by all parties currently involved. The Union will withdraw from the Spanish Pacific holdings.

The CSA will withdraw their army from the border between our two nations.
 
The Kingdom of Manchuria is glad that the CSA has ordered with hasty withdrawal of the border garrison. Such moves will hopefully continue to facilitate a lasting peace between the United and Confederate States.

The Kingdom would also like to announce to the Confederate States that Manchuria shall not provide for protection of the leased Liaodong Peninsula. Should war break out between the North and the South yet again, the Confederacy shall have to defend the Liaodong Peninsula using her own troops and ships. Nonetheless, we hope a peaceful settlement can be reached in the futile bloodletting between the United States and the Kingdom of Spain.


OOC: At what age can Guangxu become full Emperor and no longer require a regency? Age 16 (like in EU3)?
 
The Kingdom of Manchuria is glad that the CSA has ordered with hasty withdrawal of the border garrison. Such moves will hopefully continue to facilitate a lasting peace between the United and Confederate States.

The Kingdom would also like to announce to the Confederate States that Manchuria shall not provide for protection of the leased Liaodong Peninsula. Should war break out between the North and the South yet again, the Confederacy shall have to defend the Liaodong Peninsula using her own troops and ships. Nonetheless, we hope a peaceful settlement can be reached in the futile bloodletting between the United States and the Kingdom of Spain.


OOC: At what age can Guangxu become full Emperor and no longer require a regency? Age 16 (like in EU3)?

The CSA has not in fact withdrawn our border Garrisons but moved the 50,000 strong Army of Northern Virginia up to the US-CSA border near Philadelphia. We accept that the Liaodong peninsula will not be defended by Manchurian troops.
 
The CSA has not in fact withdrawn our border Garrisons but moved the 50,000 strong Army of Northern Virginia up to the US-CSA border near Philadelphia. We accept that the Liaodong peninsula will not be defended by Manchurian troops.

OOC: Sorry, misread Muskeato's post as one of yours :confused:

Also, Doom, splendid update.
 
OOC: I'll repost this after I've read the update - Meh, situations the same. Not sure why you feel that everyone should see it, I really couldn't care less.

The Spanish will withdraw from the Caribbean and release sovereignty over their holdings in the region. The Union shall establish a protectorate over the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, and the independence of Hispaniola will be recognised officially by all parties currently involved. The Union will withdraw from the Spanish Pacific holdings.

The CSA will withdraw their army from the border between our two nations.

It appears that the government of the United States has two faces... with one face, they look at their people, and say that Cuba must be free from Imperialism, and with the other face, they look at the world, and demand the installment of a protectorate in Cuba, who is currently, by Spanish law, an integral part of the Kingdom of Spain, just as Pennsylvania is an integral part of the United States of America. How would you react if another country wanted to establish a protectorate in Pennsylvania, against the wishes of it's people, and by the employment of brutal measures? This face of the American government is truly shameful in the light of the United States's history.

The Kingdom of Spain offers status quo ante bellum to the United States. We are willing to forfeit our right to indemnities for the most grievous damages done to our people, just to place an end to this dreadful war. We also strongly beseech that US forces stop shedding their own blood for a government which does not deserve it, a government which gives no value to human life, nor to the ideals of the United States Constitution. A government which, instead of serving it's people, has it's people serving the government. Stand down, holster our arms, and let us bury and honor our dead, civilian and combatant alike, mend our wounds, repair our houses, feed our children and swear by our Savior to never again allow such atrocious devastation for so lowly causes.
 
OOC: I'll repost this after I've read the update - Meh, situations the same. Not sure why you feel that everyone should see it, I really couldn't care less.

The Spanish will withdraw from the Caribbean and release sovereignty over their holdings in the region. The Union shall establish a protectorate over the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, and the independence of Hispaniola will be recognised officially by all parties currently involved. The Union will withdraw from the Spanish Pacific holdings.

The CSA will withdraw their army the border between our two nations.

We do not see why we should be included in a peace treaty when we haven't joined the war. We also defend the right to position our forces wherever we wish inside our own borders.
 
Then do the Confederates deny that the manoeuvre is a threat, and thereby an act of aggression?
 
The United States may include this clause in the peace treaty however we will not move our forces.
 
So, shall the Union take it that the repositioning of Confederate forces is indeed an act of aggression against the USA? The Confederate Foreign Office is unclear in it's despatches.
 
So, shall the Union take it that the repositioning of Confederate forces is indeed an act of aggression against the USA? The Confederate Foreign Office is unclear in it's despatches.

The repositioning of troops is a completely internal affair. It was not intended to threaten the United States.
 
The repositioning of troops is a completely internal affair. It was not intended to threaten the United States.
This is strange reasoning. If France or Germany positioned a large bulk of troops near the border with the other while that other was fighting a war, it is safe to assume it would not be a strictly internal affair.
 
The Kingdom of Spain would like to point out the hypocrisy in these statements of the US government, which has 80.000 US troops stationed within weeks's distance of the Confederate shores. Is there any second intention as to such a large deployment, with regards to the territorial integrity of the Confederate States of America?
 
The Kingdom of Spain would like to point out the hypocrisy in these statements of the US government, which has 80.000 US troops stationed within weeks's distance of the Confederate shores. Is there any second intention as to such a large deployment, with regards to the territorial integrity of the Confederate States of America?

Again we in the USA are unclear in the Spanish are insane or merely have an interesting sense of humour! I am sure the garrison of Madrid could reach Portugal or France in short order if travelling by rail. There is of course a difference to the presence of troops anywhere within a nation, and a significant build up directly on the border.
 
This is strange reasoning. If France or Germany positioned a large bulk of troops near the border with the other while that other was fighting a war, it is safe to assume it would not be a strictly internal affair.

The majority of our forces are part of the Army of Northern Virginia. The ANV was conducting military exercises. This was happening in Maryland because many of the battles in the recent war of Northern Agression were fought there and therefore the soldiers can work out what they should have done in those battles. As to the comparison with Europe, Germany or France would have every right to station their troops right on the border if they wished to do so.


To the US: I think that Spain ws referring to the large number of troops, over half the US military being close to us. The garrison of Madrid may be close to France and Portugal but it does not consist of half the Spainsh military. We also think geographical differences should be taken into account. North America is bigger then Europe.
 
Last edited:
All this bickering about Cuba seems quite pointless to me. I generally remain quiet on such far off affairs, but it seems to me, along with many in Austria, that this strange obsession with grabbing far off parts of the world is expensive, violent, and rather silly.
 
To the US: I think that Spain ws referring to the large number of troops, over half the US military being close to us. The garrison of Madrid may be close to France and Portugal but it does not consist of half the Spainsh military. We also think geographical differences should be taken into account. North America is bigger then Europe.

Indeed. Yet as Madrid is the roughly in the centre of Spain, by the Spanish line of thought Spanish troops on their mainland are therefore 'close' to the French and Portuguese border.

Regardless, this discussion is ridiculous, and such a line will not be continued by the American government.
 
Indeed. Yet as Madrid is the roughly in the centre of Spain, by the Spanish line of thought Spanish troops on their mainland are therefore 'close' to the French and Portuguese border.

Regardless, this discussion is ridiculous, and such a line will not be continued by the American government.

They are not concentrated nor mobilized in their entirety for armed actions, unlike the US forces in Cuba.

We deeply regret that the United States of America did not accept our offer for a truce, and I pity their people for having allowed such tyrants, who are defying the will of the American people, who clearly wishes this war to be ended now, to continue to send American lads to their deaths.
 
They are not concentrated nor mobilized in their entirety for armed actions, unlike the US forces in Cuba.

We deeply regret that the United States of America did not accept our offer for a truce, and I pity their people for having allowed such tyrants, who are defying the will of the American people, who clearly wishes this war to be ended now, to continue to send American lads to their deaths.

We are even more regretful, on behalf of the Spanish government, that they felt they could not accept our terms.