After discussing the origins of the Spanish-American War in our last episode, we bring the story forward to the declaration of war and the plans of the United States and Spain. Spain was unable to pour reinforcements, either naval or ground into Cuba and the Philippines. They had no choice but to use the resources they had access to. In the United States, the navy had begun planning for a campaign long before hostilities commenced. The Army was far behind and subject to the whims of politics. Rather than expand the regular army, a decision was reached to recruit volunteers, complicating mobilization and training.

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