Treaty of Paris ratifications exchanged; war formally ends

Background. The Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898, marking the official end of the Spanish-American War. The agreement required ratification according to the constitutional forms of both nations. The United States Senate approved the treaty on February 6, 1899, by a vote of 57 to 27. This legislative approval was necessary for the treaty to become effective.

Participants. William McKinley, the 25th U.S. President, served as the primary American signatory for the ratification exchange. Jules Cambon, the French ambassador to the United States, acted on behalf of the Spanish government. Cambon had previously negotiated the preliminaries of peace and contributed to the final agreement, making him the key diplomatic representative for Spain during the exchange.

Terms of Cession. The treaty stipulated that Spain ceded the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the United States. Cuba was established as a U.S. protectorate. The exchange of ratifications on April 11, 1899, completed the transfer of sovereignty over these territories, particularly the Philippines, which had been the subject of intense negotiation and subsequent conflict.