Age of Imperialism Timeline

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    Cuba's First War for Independence

  • Cuba's First War for Independence

    Cuba's First War for Independence

    This war was important because it was the Cuban's first attempt at independence. In the end, the war was not successful, but it showed that they were willing to fight for freedom. The first war lasted ten years without success.
  • Jose Marti Led Cuba's 2nd War for Independence

    Jose Marti Led Cuba's 2nd War for Independence

    In 1892 Marti created the Cuban Revolutionary Party, just so he could organize the movement. In early 1895, Marti was prepared for his voyage to Cuba, but the US seized the ships. Marti had no special authority and no way to control his troops. Jose Marti was killed short of two weeks after arriving in Cuba.
  • Valeriano Weyler Was Sent to Cuba by Spain

    Valeriano Weyler Was Sent to Cuba by Spain

    Weyler built concentration camps in Cuba that housed a large portion of the population. He was trying to separate the civilians from the rebels.
  • U.S. First Attempt to Purchase Cuba

    U.S. First Attempt to Purchase Cuba

    The first attempt to purchase Cuba in 1897 didn't go very well. McKinley offered to purchase Cuba for $300 million. After that, the U.S.S. Maine was sunk. This event led to the Spanish-American War.
  • The Yellow Press Began to Shape American Public Opinion with Respect to Cuba's Civil War

    The Yellow Press Began to Shape American Public Opinion with Respect to Cuba's Civil War

    After the sinking of the USS Maine, the Yellow Press published rumors about a plot to sink the ship. While these rumors were not true, it was believable to America.
  • Publication of the De Lome Letter

    Publication of the De Lome Letter

    The De Lome Letter was used to criticize President Mckinley. After this letter was leaked to The New York Times, the Spanish Minister resigned and the government was embarrassed.
  • Explosion of the USS Maine

    Explosion of the USS Maine

    After the rejection of the offer to buy Cuba, Spaniards blew up the USS Maine. The explosion killed 260 passengers.
  • Naval Blockade of Cuba

    Naval Blockade of Cuba

    On April 20th, 1898, McKinley signed a joint congressional resolution demanding the Spanish to withdraw. This also authorized the president to use military force to help Cuba gain its freedom.
  • America Declares War on Spain

    America Declares War on Spain

    War was declared after the U.S.S Maine had been sunk. America assumed it was the Spaniards, and declared war.
  • Battle of Manila Bay

    Battle of Manila Bay

    The Battle of Manila Bay was the first major war that took place in the Spanish-American War. The US won this war, resulting in the ending of Spanish Colonial rule in the Americas.
  • The Battle of San Juan Hill

    The Battle of San Juan Hill

    On July 1st, 1898, General William Shafter ordered an attack on the village of El Caney and San Juan Hill. Hundreds died under gunfire from the Spanish, but they forged ahead and took San Juan Hill & Kettle Hill.
  • US Invades Cuba

    US Invades Cuba

    The US invaded Cuba on July 1st, 1898. The same day they led an attack on San Juan Hill.
  • Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba

    Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba

    Destruction of the Spanish Fleet happened at The Battle of Santiago de Cuba. American ships arrived with four battleships and two armored cruisers. The Spanish Fleet only had four armored cruisers and two destroyers. The US continued to sink all Spanish ships, without losing a single ship.
  • Capture of Puerto Rico

    Capture of Puerto Rico

    In 1887 Puerto Rico was granted freedom from Spain. In 1898 the US invaded and took Puerto Rico during the Spanish American War. Spain could not give the US Puerto Rico because they were legally free.
  • Armistice is Signed Between the US & Spain

    Armistice is Signed Between the US & Spain

    In Puerto Rico, the US forces were far superior to that of the Spaniards. The forces of the Spanish crumbled and led to the signing of an armistice. The armistice was signed before The Treaty of Paris.
  • The Spanish Surrender the Phillippines

    The Spanish Surrender the Phillippines

    After the American victory at The Battle of Manila Bay, the Spanish surrendered the Phillippines
  • The Treaty of Paris

    The Treaty of Paris

    The Treaty of Paris was a peace agreement between the US and Spain that ended the Spanish-American War. This treaty granted Cuba independence from Spain, and the US gained the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.