That Splendid Little War

The end of the nineteenth century witnessed the transformation of the United States from a developing nation into a global power. The history of the United States’ conflict with Spain dates to the late 19th century, involving a complex web of politics, economics, and social factors. Spain’s gradual decline as a world power and the United States’ growing imperialistic ambitions set the stage for conflict. The historical and genealogical records herein document the lives of participants who fought in the Spanish-American War and later in the Boxer Rebellion and Philippine Insurrection.In the early 20th century, Western nations attempted to influence China through industrialization, imperialism, and market forces by exploiting the local populace for personal financial gains. This sparked a militant crusade in China led by members of the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, known as the Boxers, who gained support among the rural peasantry and urban poor to expel Westerners from the country and were viewed as champions against malevolent western influences. Violence erupted in the Spring of 1900 when the United States and seven other countries dispatched hundreds of sailors and marines to defend the foreign missionaries.Filipino nationalists allied themselves with the United States and, with the Unites States’ support, sought to revolt against Spain in 1898. With the defeat of Spain, many Filipinos anticipated their independence, which quickly turned to opposition to American occupation. This conflict came to be known as the Philippine Insurrection or the Philippine-American War.Michael L. Strauss, AG®, is a professional genealogist and military historian with a bachelor’s degree in history. His expertise is recognized in the judicial systems of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where he has provided testimony as an expert witness in kinship hearings. In addition to his courtroom experience, Michael has presented lectures at numerous universities, conferences, and institutes. He has authored several publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, public history writing, blogs, and book reviews demonstrating his extensive understanding of military history.