Suppose there is a rebellion in Cuba in the early- to mid-1880's. And for whatever reason, the U.S. intervenes like it did in 1898. How would this war play out, considering the United States hadn't yet completed its massive buildup of the navy?
Suppose there is a rebellion in Cuba in the early- to mid-1880's. And for whatever reason, the U.S. intervenes like it did in 1898. How would this war play out, considering the United States hadn't yet completed its massive buildup of the navy?
Even without the massive naval buildup, the US would probably still win quickly. Spain was extremely weak at this point. The only difference is that the war would be a crushing victory rather than a joke. The US will probably lose more people, too.
I don't think US would win quick. Winning quickly requires overwhelming military assets for protecting troops to and from Cuba vs Spain.
Even if Spain is weak in great power terms, no US navy buildup means US would be weaker militarily. US would be fighting a numerical superior navy with equal or greater technology. Those ships in Manila bay sunk in OtL 1898 were already existing for Spain in mid 1880s and not yet considered inferior in the 1880s.
The question if not US wins but if US would even participate a war in the 1880s vs Spain.
Suppose there is a rebellion in Cuba in the early- to mid-1880's. And for whatever reason, the U.S. intervenes like it did in 1898. How would this war play out, considering the United States hadn't yet completed its massive buildup of the navy?
Yeah, I don't think it'd be a quick victory. Even if the US managed to prove successful in Cuba, is it very likely that they would gain the Philippines or Puerto Rico as well? The Navy might not have an easy time in the Philippines and Puerto Rico was considered an afterthought in OTL anyways. A harder war may have them just taking Cuba