The Spanish American War

In the late 19th to early 20th century, the world was changing at a rapid rate. Particularly, the United States was on a journey to cement itself as an economic superpower on the world’s playing field. The subsequent Spanish-American War and accompanying Philippine-American War provided a controversial path to American economic authority.  In the last years of the 19th century, Cuba sought to shake itself from Spain’s imperial grasp. America, in an effort to not only protect her interests in Cuba but also show support to Cuban independence entered into war with Spain after American emotions were heightened from the suspicious explosion of the U.S.S Maine in Havana Harbor. The war was overall quick and successful in the eyes of America. America’s victory in Cuba resulted in the acquisition of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

But what does Avoca have to do with the Spanish-American War? Avoca’s own James Dearing Fauntleroy not only participated in the war, ultimately rising to the rank of Captain, but also kept a diary of his various experiences throughout the war. Fauntleroy later converted his diary entries into a 200+ page manuscript of his life during the Spanish American War. This is significant because primary source documents provide compelling and highly educational accounts of important events. Diaries such as the one created by James Dearing Fauntleroy preserve history in a momentous way.