The "splendid little war" was how John Hay described the Spanish-American war in a letter he wrote to President Theodore Roosevelt. With much to gain and little to lose, the U.S. declared war on Spain on February 15, 1898, shortly after the sinking of the U.S.S Maine (Battle Ship). The U.S. won the war and gained several islands, including Cuba, Philippines, and Puerto Rico. The main reasons for the U.S. victory against Spain were that the U.S. was better positioned strategic wise than Spain was; also the U.S. had a superior Navy, and American soldiers received great motivation from the government and the people of their home country.

Distance was an important factor contributing the victory of the U.S. over Spain. While Spain had to cross the whole Atlantic Ocean to get to the battle sites, the U.S. was much closer...