This photograph comes from Col. Charles A. Dempsey’s album depicting a variety of subjects related to the Spanish-American War, including the “Philippine Insurrection” of 1899-1900. The original caption reads: “Cemetery, Cienfuegos.”
The Spanish-American War lasted from April 1898 to December 1898. The main opponents were the United States and Spain, while the core issue was that of Cuban independence from the Spanish. The Americans backed Cuban independence, and sent American troops to Cuba in support. Almost simultaneously, the United States also sent support to the Philippines to assist in Philippine Independence from Spain.
After the war, Cuba received its independence, but the United States decided to keep the Philippines. The islands became a U.S. territory under the Treaty of Paris that the Senate approved in February 1899. This decision sparked an intense debated between anti-imperialists and expansionists. The Philippines remained a territory until 1946.
