Cuba Dechau

Cuba Revolts Against Spain

Feb 23, 1895

They thought that the United States would help them. Most of the United States' sugar came from Cuba. The United States had tried to purchase Cuba from Spain many times before.

United States Imperialism on Cuba

Period: Feb 23, 1895 to Dec 10, 1898

Valeriano Weyler is sent to put down rebellion

Feb 10, 1896

Weyler made concentration camps and tortured rebels. Prisoners died rapidly under harsh and dirty conditions. Newspaper publishers printed exaggerated stories to persude people that Spain was bad.

William Mckinley is elected president

Mar 4, 1897

William Mckinley is elected president, promising to free Cuba from Spain.

Dupuy de Lome insults William Mckinley

Feb 9, 1898

Dupuy de Lome, a Spanish ambassador, writes a letter that insulted William Mckinley, angering the United States.

U.S.S Maine is sunk

Feb 15, 1898

The battleship U.S.S. Maine is sunk in Havana Harbor, rasing suspicions that Spain is sabotaging the United States. The Yellow Press wants war and offers a generous reward for finding the sabotager.

United States declares war

Apr 25, 1898

The United States declared war on Spain so that they could help Cuba.

Invasion of Guantanamo Bay

Jun 6, 1898

American and Cuban forces invade the strategically and commercially important Guantanamo Bay.

Roosevelt's Rough Riders seize San Juan Hill

Jul 1, 1898

Roosevelt's Rough Riders seize San Juan Hill, giving the United States Army a strategic position over Santiago and making Roosevelt a hero for leading men uphill.

Spanish fleet wiped out

Jul 3, 1898

The Spanish fleet is destroyed as they try to pass through a blockade and flee to Spain.

Santiago is surrendered

Jul 13, 1898

Santiago is surrendered by the Spanish, thus ending the Cuban Revolution and giving Cuba freedom.

Treaty of Paris

Dec 10, 1898

The Treaty of Paris is signed by Spain and the United States, ending the Spanish-American War.