What factors played in a quick American victory in the Spanish American War?
1. Superior naval power: The United States had a powerful navy that quickly defeated the Spanish naval forces in the Caribbean and Pacific, allowing for easy transport of troops and supplies.
2. Technological superiority: American military technology, such as modern battleships and rapid-fire weapons, overwhelmed the outdated Spanish forces.
3. Geography: The Spanish possessions in the Caribbean and the Pacific were easily accessible targets for American forces, giving them a strategic advantage.
4. Popular support: The American public was strongly in favor of the war, providing a wellspring of political and popular support for military action.
5. Weakness of the Spanish military: The Spanish military was poorly equipped, poorly trained, and poorly led, making it ill-prepared to defend against the more powerful and advanced American forces.
6. Political and strategic mistakes by Spain: Spain's decision to keep its fleet in port and not launch a preemptive strike against the US fleet in Cuban waters allowed the US to gain a strategic advantage at the beginning of the war.
7. Leadership: American military leaders, such as Admiral George Dewey and General William Shafter, effectively coordinated their forces and executed successful military strategies, leading to quick victories on both land and sea.