Del entusiasmo al pánico: la ciudad de Palma durante las guerras coloniales de 1895-1898

Abstract

The wars in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines had a particularly profound impact in the port cities, since the troops (around 230,000 men) departed from there to try to keep the last remaining Spanish overseas territories. The departure of the expeditionary forces became a demonstration of Spanish national identity and militarism. In Palma’s case, the conflict also caused an increase in unemployment amongst workers, resulting from the paralysis of footwear exportation in 1898. Another notable aspect was the huge popularity and prestige that General Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau attained. He had been born in the capital of the Balearic Islands in 1838 and had become captain-general of the island of Cuba in 1896-97. After the Spanish defeats in Cavite and Santiago de Cuba, they feared a naval attack from the US navy. Soon reinforcements came from the mainland, some defenses were built and, because of some unfounded rumors, panic spread throughout Palma in mid-July 1898. Shortly thereafter, and once the armistice was signed, repatriated marines and soldiers started to come back, many of whom were suffering from illnesses.