Final answer:
Admiral George Dewey led a significant victory against the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, during the Spanish-American War. This event solidified Dewey as a national hero and was instrumental in the United States' efforts to secure bases in the Pacific and expand its empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Admiral Dewey in the Spanish-American War
Admiral George Dewey is renowned for his decisive victory during the Spanish-American War in the Pacific. On May 1, 1898, Dewey's fleet initiated an aggressive assault on the Spanish fleet anchored in Manila Bay. The destruction of the Spanish fleet by the American forces was swift and dramatic, with the entire fleet being decimated over the course of six hours. This naval victory played a critical role in the United States' war efforts, and it is this battle that projected Dewey to national hero status.
The action at Manila Bay was essential in the United States' quest to expand its empire, as it pursued additional naval bases in the Pacific, while also supporting local independence movements against the Spanish rule. The Battle of Manila Bay was not just a military success, but also a strategic move that aligned with the vision of military strategists at the time, such as Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, who followed Alfred T. Mahan's recommendation for a modern fleet. The liberation of the Philippines from Spanish control marked a turning point in the war and highlighted America's growing imperial ambitions.