America's Accidental Empire - May 1, 1898

About this episode

This episode examines the unintended consequences of Commodore George Dewey's victory in Manila Bay and its impact on American imperialism.

On May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet in Manila Bay in five hours and accidentally launched the American empire. This episode examines how a war fought for Cuba's liberation led to the military suppression of Philippine independence, the complex moral positions of every figure involved, and what the pattern established that morning still has to tell us about how powerful nations move in the world.

People in this episode

Host: Richard G Backus

Topics covered

• American Empire
• Spanish-American War
• Philippine Independence
• Military History
• Colonialism
• Moral Complexity

Keywords

• American Empire
• Commodore George Dewey
• Spanish-American War
• Philippine Independence
• Manila Bay
• military history
• colonialism

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Cuba, Philippines

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