Manila Bay 1898: Dawn of an American Empire

An illustrated history of "the first Pacific War," which saw the United States transform itself into an outward-looking, expansionist great power.

In April 1898, the United States and Spain declared war on each other. Led by Commodore George Dewey, the small US Asiatic Squadron departed China and attacked the Spanish naval squadron defending Manila Bay on May 1. Simultaneously, an insurrection under a charismatic young Filipino named Aguinaldo liberated most of the Philippines on its own and...