Challenge: The Spanish-American War of 1873

Relations between the US and Spain became heated in 1873 when the American ship Virginius was seized by Spain for arms running for the Cuban rebels. The crew of over 50 were court marshaled and shot. The incident was sensationally reported at the time. The firing squad fired their volley but only managed to wound the condemned. They then finished the job by shooting them with muskets shoved into the mouths of the wounded.

The American public called for war. However the idea was resisted by the military leaders as American forces, in particular the Navy was in no shape for war. It's ships were obsolete compared with new Spanish ironclads and in many cases not sea worthy.

What would it take for the US to go to war and win? How does this change history?
 
tallwingedgoat
No takers?
Don't be so Impatient, Not all of us live on this site, give us a chance to log in.

I think in this You get a lot of Supplies being funneled to the Rebels, with a good chance for a independent Cuba, but no American DoW.
 
Don't be so Impatient, Not all of us live on this site, give us a chance to log in.

I think in this You get a lot of Supplies being funneled to the Rebels, with a good chance for a independent Cuba, but no American DoW.

He waited for a week, so im not sure if we can fault his impatience...

If the united states has time to prepare for this war, they might be dangerous. On the other hand, the american military is in a pitiable condition at this time , much worse off vis a vis spain than in 1898 (which wasn't exactly a model military operation for the Americans).

the united states is still undergoing reconstruction, although that is going to end in a few years. Spain, for its part, just saw the first republic proclaimed, although the instabilities of the new government will eventually lead to the Bourbons being restored the following year. In short, neither side is entirely united, and one wonders how war will impact domestic politics.

Anybody aware if Britain or France are willing to intervene in this conflict?
 
The United States military was in bad shape-- the Navy had at most several ACW-era ironclad monitors, and the army's size was being regularly downsized following the end of hostilities in 1865.

It's going to take years to gear up to wartime production-levels of shipbuilding, and the public is already starting to get tired of continued Federal occupation of the South. The United States is in no shape or form ready for war with Spain, especially compared to 1898.

On the plus side, and conflict will reveal how quickly some rifts have healed. If memory serves correctly, Nathan Bedford Forrest volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army in the event of war actually breaking out, for example.
 
It depends on how long the war is. If it is short, Spain wins. If America goes all out, they will win in a couple of years.

No Pacific theater this time, Spain gets to keep the Philippines and Guam. The US keeps Cuba and takes Puerto Rico like their OTL war if it wins. I have no idea what Spain would get if it wins. Money, perhaps?
 
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