The Spanish-American War: First Intervention

Phil Tuckett's History Channel-aired documentary The Spanish-American War: First Intervention presents a through examination of the short-lived 1898 conflict that arguably represented America's entrance onto the world stage as a major power. What Secretary of State John Hay called a “splendid little war” initially began as an American intervention to help Cuba in its struggle for independence from Spain, but quickly expanded to include Spanish territories such as Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam. Offering excellent coverage of the war in terms of both the Cuban and overseas fronts (land and naval operations), the film also presents the Spanish perspective, as well as that of the local rebels whom the U.S. ignored in the final disposition of the territories—in keeping with America's empire-building Manifest Destiny doctrine. Combining scholarly interview clips, archival stills, and dramatic recreations of considerable scope—especially for the Cuban campaign, including the battle of San Juan Hill (also fought by the U.S. Buffalo Soldiers) that catapulted the young Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders to fame—the film wisely emphasizes President William McKinley's role in the war over that of the headline-grabbing TR. Interestingly, the film also compares the actual events to media reporting back home (not only in the Hearst newspapers but in Edison's “newsreel” reenactments). DVD extras include a “making-of” featurette and a Biography episode on Roosevelt. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)