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U.S. Attempt to Purchase Cuba
The Americans always had a strong interest in Cuba, which is just south of Florida. But in 1854, American diplomats recommended that the U.S. purchases Cuba to President Franklin Pierce. The Spanish didn't like this at all and responded to the request with saying that they would rather see Cuba sink. This was important because America was achieving what they thought was culturaly correct, "Manifest Destiny" -
Cuba's First War for Independence
The Cubans rebelled against Spain in 1868, and had America on their side. The Cubans revolt wasn't successful, but they did force Spain to abolish slavery in 1868. After the emancipation of the Cuban slaves, America began investing millions of dollars in large sugar cain islands on the island. This was important because it showed that Cuba had fight in them and were determined to accomplish freedom. It was also important because it showed Cuba that America was on their side and willing to help. -
Jose Martí led Cuba's Second War for Independence
Jose Martí launched a revolution in 1895. He organized Cuban resistence against Spain, using a campaign and deliberately destroying property. Most of this property was American owned sugar mills and plantations. The U.S. was split over this and some wanted to support Spain and some for Cuba. This was important because he gained America's attention and got their influence against Spain involved in the war. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
Spain responded to the Cuban revolt by sending Valeriano Weyler to restore order. He tried to crush the rebellion by herding the entire rural population of central and western cuba into barbed-wire concentration camps. In the camps, civilians couldn't give aid to the rebels. This was important because it got American attention to the war in Cuba and how horrible Spain's Valeriano Weyler treated them. -
The Yellow Press Shaped Public Opinion
After Weyler's actions fueled war over news-paper circulation, New York Journal and New York World published stories of poisoned wells and of children being thrown to the sharks deepened American sympathy for the rebels. This new style of writing became known as Yellow Journalism. This was important because it revolutionized the way of Newspaper writing for America's future. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
Even after America's sympathy and hard press for war effort, McKinley wanted to try other means of finding a comprimise. Spain recalled General Weyler, modified the policy regarding
concentration camps, and offered Cuba limited self-government. This infuriated Enrique Dupuy de Lôme and caused him to write a letter for the New York Journal that was later leaked to the public. This was important because it formed American public opinion of Spain. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
After the outrage of the De Lome letter directed towards America's president, America was furious. In response to this, McKinley sent the USS Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens in danger. Later, in 1898, the ship exploded and killed 260 men. They later figured out that the Spanish had blown it up and offered a $50,000 reward for the capture of the culprit behind the explosion. This was important because it infuriated America into further combatant of Spain. -
U.S. Declares War on Spain
America declared war on Spain due to popular public opinion, and after a Congressional debate. Most of the public opinion was fuled from the explosion of the USS Maine. The first war took place in the Philippines, and the Second in the Caribbeans. This war was important because America was spreading Democracy to other countries. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
In the Caribbeans, the allies began with a naval blockage of Cuba. This naval blockade was led by Admiral William T. Sampson in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba and was made so that Spain couldn't give supplies to their militants in Cuba. This event was important because it showed America's determination in the war and kindness towards Cuba. -
U.S. Attack on Manilla Bay
On April 30th 1989, American fleets fled to the Philippines. the next day, Deorge Dewey ordered the American fleet to open fire on the Spanish fleet in the Manila bay. Within hours, every Spanish ship was destroyed there. This was important because it began the end of the Spanish involvement in the Philippines, and let America expand their empire. -
U.S. Forces Invade Cuba
To start off the American invasion of Cuba, the U.S. wasn't doing well when 125,000 American's volunteered for the war but lacked effective trainers and leaders. Also, there were not enough modern guns to go around. Despite these handicaps, American troops invaded Cuba in June 1898 and began to converge on the city of Santiago. This event was important because it showed America's determination to win the war, despite not having adequate supplies and training. -
Battle for Kettle/ San Juan Hill
This battle was one of the most famous battles in Cuba. The first part of the battle was on Kettle Hill, and it featured a dramatic uphill charge by the Rough Riders and two African-American regiments. After their victory, it cleared the way for an infantry attack on the all important San Juan Hill. Even though Roosevelt and his Rough Riders barely had a part in the second victory at San Juan Hill, he was still pronounced a war hero. This was important because it showed America's superiority. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet
Two days after the battle of San Juan Hill, the Spanish tried to escape the American blockade of the harbor at Santiago. The naval battle that tarted from this retaliation led to the destruction of the Spanish fleet. This Event was important because it established naval dominance for America. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
During the war inthe Philippines, the FIlipinos wanted freedom from Spain and were willing to join forces with America. Over the next 11 months in the Philippines, 11,000 American forces joined with Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo. In August, Spanish forces surrendered. This event was important because it showed the world what we really wanted in the war, expansion of our empire. -
Armastice is Signed Between the U.S. and Spain
Before the treaty of paris, the United states and Spain signed an armastice, only a cease-fire agreement though. They did this on August 12, 1898, and marked the end of the "splendid little war." The war had only lasted 15 weeks although seemed longer. This was a important step in America's history because it let us officially end the war, wand led to further American expansion. -
Treaty of Paris
On December 10, 1898, The United states met Spain at Paris to agree and sign a treaty. At the peace talks, Spain freed Cuba and gave the islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico to the United States. In this time, Spain also sold the Philippines to the U.S. for 20 million US dollars. This was important because it showed American's superiority and let America be known as a higher world power. -
America Captures Puerto Rico
First, American troops invaded Puerto Rico on July 25th, 1898 on the heel of victory and destruction of the Spanish fleet in the mindset of capturing more land, seeing as it was open for grabs. Then, later in the year, America captured Puerto Rico in the Treaty of Paris on December 10th, 1898. This was important becuase it let America further their empire on other nations.
