Final answer:
The battles of the Spanish-American War began in the Philippines instead of Cuba because the U.S. military strategists wanted to expand American empire in the Pacific. Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, ordered an attack on the Spanish fleet in the Philippines, leading to a decisive victory for the U.S. in the Battle of Manila Bay.
Step-by-step explanation:
The battles of the Spanish-American War began in the Philippines instead of Cuba because the American military strategists saw the war as an opportunity to expand American empire in the Pacific and establish naval bases in the region. Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, ordered navy ships to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines, leading to a decisive victory for the U.S. in the Battle of Manila Bay. This victory paved the way for the U.S. Army to land forces in the Philippines and ultimately take control of the islands.