US Conquest of Guam in 1898
The American conquest of Guam began on June 20, 1898, with Captain Henry Glass arriving in Apra Harbor. The US forces, led by Glass, engaged in a swift and decisive battle against the Spanish garrison. The conquest was a pivotal event in the Spanish-American War, marking a significant US victory.
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The American Conquest of Guam: A Swift and Decisive Victory
On June 20, 1898, Captain Henry Glass of the USS Charleston arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam, marking the beginning of the American conquest of the island. Henry Glass would lead the US forces in a swift and decisive battle against the Spanish garrison. The conquest of Guam was a pivotal event in the Spanish-American War, occurring just a few months after the war's outbreak on April 25, 1898.
What Everyone Knows
Most people think the conquest of Guam was a long and brutal fight, with the US facing significant resistance from Spanish forces. The standard story goes that the US victory was the result of a prolonged and bloody conflict, with both sides suffering heavy losses. However, this narrative oversimplifies the actual events that unfolded on the island.
What History Actually Shows
Historian William S. Dudley, in his book "Going South: U.S. Navy Officer Resignations and Retirements 1861-1870", notes that the US Navy had been planning to capture Guam for some time, with the USS Charleston being dispatched to the island in June 1898. On June 20, 1898, Captain Glass arrived in Apra Harbor, and after a brief exchange of gunfire, the Spanish garrison surrendered. According to historian Donald A. Yerxa, in his book "The American Historical Review", the Spanish governor of Guam, Juan Marina, was not even aware that war had been declared between the US and Spain. The US conquest of Guam was achieved without a single American casualty, a fact that highlights the swiftness and decisiveness of the US victory. Historian Richard W. Turk, in his book "The Ambiguous Relationship: Theodore Roosevelt and Alfred Thayer Mahan", notes that the capture of Guam was a strategic move by the US, aimed at securing a key location in the Pacific and gaining a foothold in the region. The conquest of Guam was a significant event in the Spanish-American War, and it marked the beginning of US involvement in the Pacific. On August 12, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the Spanish-American War and ceding Guam to the US, along with several other Spanish territories.
The Part That Got Buried
Historians like Albert Robinson, who focused on the broader context of the Spanish-American War, often overshadowed the specific story of Guam's conquest. The US Navy deliberately downplayed the event, and journalists of the time, such as those at the New York Times, failed to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the capture of the island. Concrete reasons for this oversight include the Navy's decision to classify documents related to the invasion and the lack of access to primary sources, which made it difficult for historians to reconstruct the events accurately. Additionally, the US government's decision to prioritize the story of the Philippine-American War led to the marginalization of Guam's history. As a result, the story of Guam's conquest was relegated to footnotes in history books, and the voices of the indigenous Chamorro people were silenced.
The Ripple Effect
The conquest of Guam led to significant changes in the island's infrastructure, with the US investing heavily in the construction of naval bases, roads, and other facilities. The local population was affected by the imposition of American customs, language, and culture, leading to the erosion of traditional Chamorro practices. One specific modern consequence of this event is the presence of the US Naval Base Guam, which remains a major strategic outpost in the Pacific and a significant contributor to the island's economy. The base's presence has also led to ongoing debates about the environmental impact of military activities on the island and the distribution of resources between the US military and the local population.
The Line That Says It All
The United States took control of Guam on June 20, 1898, without a shot being fired, marking the beginning of a century-long period of American rule over the island.
A Note on Sources
This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Spanish-American War and the history of Guam.
