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U.S attempts to buy Cuba.
In 1854 U.S ambassadors brought the idea to president Franklin that the U.S should buy Cuba from Spain. The United States was interested in Cuba because it was only 90 miles away from the U.S and they had many resources. Spain didn't want to sell Cuba to the United States they said they would rather see Cuba sink then them selling it the U.S. The first attempt to buy Cuba was important because it shows a long interest in Cuba and was a step forward in attempting to build an empire. -
Cuba's First War of Independence
Cubans began to rebel against Spain in 1868 starting a war that ended about 10 years later in 1878. America began to sympathize for the Cubans because they could relate to them. Cuba did not win the war and was still under Spain's control. This war is significant to other events because although Cuba was still under Spain's control they forced Spain to abolish slavery in 1886. America also began investing lots of money into sugar cane plantations. -
Jose Marti leads second Cuban War
Marti was a poet and journalist that started a revolution. He wanted Cuba to be free of Spain, so he organized Cuban resistance against Spain. He destroyed property, especially American owned sugar mills and plantations. He wanted the second Cuban war to be short, in orderto avoid interference with America and to help rebels achieve a free Cuba. He was important because he led the leader of the Cuban Rebels and was the main symbol for Cuban independence against Spain. -
The Yellow Press
In 1896 during the Spanish American war, American journalists William Randolph and Joesph Pulitzer went to Cuba to write about the conditions. The writers exaggerated the stories in Cuba such as poisoned wells and children being thrown to the sharks, which enraged and lured readers in America. Americans sympathized for Cubans this was known as the Yellow Press. This is important because the Yellow Press twisted words and made the conditions in Cuba seem worse, which made Americans sympathize. -
Valeriano Weylor sent to Cuba
Valeriano Weylor was sent to Cuba to restore order. He tried to put an end to the rebels by putting all Cubans into concentration camps. Around 300,000 people were put into poor and tight living conditions causing thousands to die of disease and malnutrition. Anyone who would not go into the camps were shot and killed because they were considered apart of the rebels. This is important because when America found out about this they became even more upset starting another war, -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
In December 1898, Spain surrendered the Philippines to the United States. American soldiers invaded the Phillippines instead of Cuba first and took out the naval fleet. This made it possible for the U.S troops to land there and take control. This surrender was important because it was an act of imperialism for the United States and many Americans were angered that the government acted like this. -
Publication of de Lome Letter
The Cubans intercepted a letter from Spain's ambassador to the US. The letter explained that president Mckinley was weak and stupid Cuban rebels leaked the letter to Hearst who published it in his journal. This was important because this letter insulting the American president fired everyone up and made everyone angry. -
The Explosion of The U.S.S. Maine
Only a few days after the De Lome Letter was published America was outraged with Spain. President McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens that were in danger and to protect American land. On February 2nd, in the harbor of Havana, the ship blew up. Over 260 men were killed. This is important because no one really knew how it happened but newspapers claimed that Spain was behind it "Remember the Maine" became a battle cry, war broke out, and America was furious. -
U.S Declares war on Spain
America. when Congress agreed to declare war on Spain. They first destroyed every Spanish ship in the Philippines within a few hours. They then went to Cuba and created a naval blockade and they successfully sealed up the Spanish fleet, Dewey's victory in the Philippines showed the superiority of the U.S. naval forces. After the battle at San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet tried to escape unsuccessfully. Importance-Without these battles, Cuba and the Philippines would not have been set free. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
The blockade was run by Admiral William T. Simpson and was successful stall of the Spanish fleet. President Mckinley ordered a blockade on Cuba and a few days later the U.S declared war on Spain. The Americans held the fleet at the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. This was important in the war because it demonstrated America's naval power. Also, it stopped the Spaniards from completing any war efforts. -
U.S Attack on Manila bay
On the morning of May 1, 1898, George Dewey's Squadron arrived at Manila Bay and destroyed the Spanish fleet in the Pacific. The U.S. did not lose a single man or vessel in this attack due to combat. -
U.S invades Cuba
The United States placed the U.S.S Maine in a position to protect American citizens while Cuban revolutionaries were fighting for their freedom. After the explosion of the U.S.S Maine, the United States demanded Spain to give Cuba freedom. Instead, Spain declared war, American quickly reacted and invaded Cuba. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
General William Shafter was in command on the attack on the village of El Caney and San Juan Hill. Shafter wanted to capture El Caney before San Juan Hill but was held back by 500 Spanish Soldiers. Around 8,000 Americans pushed onto San Juan Hill. The Battle of San Juan Hill was split into the push onto San Juan Hill and up Kettle Hill. The Rough Riders and Black soldiers of 9th and 10th cavalry were charging up Kettle Hill lead by Theodore Roosevelt. They took San Juan Hill. -
Destruction of Spanish Fleet in Cuba
On July 3, Pascual Cervera tried to escape the American blockade because their position was becoming very tough to defend. Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley then went on to destroy the six Spanish ships resulting in a victory for the U.S. The loss of these ships essentially cut off the Spanish forces in Cuba. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
After the success with the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba, the U.S went to take over Puerto Rico on July 25th, with little resistance and only seven deaths, U.S troops were able to take the island in the middle of August. After signing the cease-fire agreement with Spain, American troops raised the U.S flag over the island formalizing U.S control. This is important because without the capture of Puerto Rico we wouldn't have been able to claim Puerto Rico as our own. -
Armistice is signed between Spain and U.S
On August 12, the Armistice was signed and made a temporary truce between America and Spain until the signing of the Treaty of Paris. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty of Paris was a treaty signed between the United States and Spain. It was signed on December 10 and ended the Spanish American war. Spain gave up Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam, and Philippines to the United States. The treaty of Paris created great debate in the U.S on whether or not the U.S had the right to annex the Philippines. This is important because it was an end of a war, but it also caused debate in the United States because it was an act of imperialism.
