The Spanish-American War 1898
How a war that began in Cuba saw the US acquire the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico
Misha Glenny and guests discuss a turning point in world affairs in 1898 that left Spain greatly reduced as an imperial power and the US the owner of the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico, with a significant influence over the newly independent Cuba where the war broke out. The US had been eyeing Cuba for decades, waiting for the right moment and the right kind of action, and in April 1898 intervened in the long-running fighting on the island for independence from Spain. With a much stronger navy it was a very uneven battle and the US soon triumphed over Spanish forces from Manila to Santiago de Cuba. This brief war confirmed the US as a power on the world stage and made a shocked Spain turn inwards to ask what had gone wrong. Meanwhile, people in the Philippines were about to attempt a new and bloody independence fight with the US.
With
Frank Cogliano
Professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh
Mary Vincent
Professor of Modern European History at the University of Sheffield
And
Stephen Wilkinson
Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Buckingham
Producer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Studios Production
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
On radio
Broadcasts
- Next Saturday 12:06Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 16 Aug 2026 03:06Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ World Service & Live News
- Sun 16 Aug 2026 17:06Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ World Service News Internet
- Sun 16 Aug 2026 18:06Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Wed 19 Aug 2026 10:06Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ World Service
- Thu 20 Aug 2026 00:06Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ World Service
In Our Time podcasts
Download programmes from the huge In Our Time archive.
The In Our Time Listeners' Top 10
If you’re new to In Our Time, this is a good place to start.
Podcast
-
In Our Time
Misha Glenny and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.