Summary

Crucible of Empire: the Spanish-American War Crucible of Empire: the Spanish-American War is one of the best movies that I have seen on the war that took place between America and Spain back in. The documentary is narrated by Edward James Olmos, an award-winning actor. It focuses on the various characters and the historical happenings related to this war, as well as its significance to the twentieth century. Crucible of Empire: the Spanish-American War has used period newspaper headlines, original footage, photographs and more than twelve famous songs from the 1890s, making it a must-see indeed. It has also used interviews with some of most well-known historians of America.
Anyone who watches this documentary will surely realize that this war was an absurd one because its outcome was very obvious-America, who initiated the war, only won because Spain was a very weak enemy. The documentary shows how the America found a new channel in its first overseas war. As the events of 1898 disclosed, Americans started to become anti-Spain due to the ways Spain used to suppress the rebel army of Cuba. Gradually, the support for a war to purge the Cubans of the Spanish domination grew.
The documentary investigates the role played by sensationalist journalism in the war. It pays special scrutiny to the then editor of The New York Journal, William Randolph Hearst. Apparently, Hearst recognized the scope for national fame, as well as the sale of newspapers, that the coverage of a war with Spain would provide. Thus, with this came the existence of the first hostile propaganda in the history of modern media; by putting all the blame on Spain, Hearst increased pro-war opinions and made sure that the hesitant President agreed.
However, not all the Americans, especially African-Americans, supported the war. Some of the African-Americans believed that it was wrong for them to fight for the sake of their oppressors. Others believed that their contribution in the war would make things better for their race. However, those who took part in the race were subject to racism and anti-black violence. America won the war easily within weeks. Spain gave up its tyranny over Cuba and handed Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to America after the dispute was settled by the Treaty of Paris. However, instead of rescuing the rebels of Cuba and Philippines, America simply replaced Spain-months later it fought its own provincial war against Filipino rebels. America kept interfering with Cuban matters till 1934, leaving behind feelings of anti-Americanism.
Crucible of Empire perfectly presents American expansionism, which led to America becoming one of the world’s super powers. Everything is shown in excellent quality. It also shows some interesting facts; Roosevelt, who was controlling the force, had no qualifications except wealth. Moreover, the American Navy had only one casualty during the overtaking of Manila Bay, while the Spanish lost entire fleets. However, one drawback of the film was the choice of the narrator. Although the narrator is a good actor, his raspy narration did not make it easy to understand what he was saying. A prominent voice would have made the narration easier on the ears.