Final answer:
One-fourth of the American troops in Cuba during the Spanish-American War were African American soldiers, instrumental in the U.S. victory yet faced racial discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the information provided, 1/4 of the total American troops fighting in Cuba were Black soldiers. These soldiers, who had been fighting in the Indian wars on the American frontier, played an instrumental role in the U.S. victory in Cuba.
In particular, the African American regiments, including the Rough Riders led by Theodore Roosevelt, fought alongside the White soldiers and contributed to the success of the American forces.
During the Spanish-American War, approximately 1/4 of the total American troops fighting in Cuba were African American soldiers, also known as "Smoked Yankees", who played a crucial role in the U.S. victory. These seasoned veterans, numbering over twenty-five hundred, brought their experience from fighting in the American frontier to help win battles such as the famous charge up San Juan Hill alongside Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders.
However, despite their significant contributions, these African American regiments faced racial slurs, and discrimination, and endured additional hardships in segregated conditions both before and during their service.