History Timeline Project

By Neveaha
  • U.S. attempt to purchase Cuba

    U.S. attempt to purchase Cuba

    They felt threatened by Cuba because it only laid 90 miles south of Florida. Thought it would be great for one of their bases
  • Cuba's first war for independence

    Cuba's first war for independence

    When the Cubans rebelled against Spain between 1868 and 1878, American sympathies went out to the Cuban people. The first Cuban revolt against Spain was not successful but in 1886 the Cuban people did force Spain to abolish slavery. This first war was called the Ten Year War because it lasted ten years. This is important because it was the beginning of the Spanish/American war even though America didn't fight in it. This was all for wanting freedom.
  • Armistice is signed between the u.s. and Spain

    Armistice is signed between the u.s. and Spain

    a cease-fire agreement, on August 12, ending what Secretary of State John Hay called “a splendid little war.” The actual fighting in the war had lasted only 15 weeks.
  • 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

    It was a sensational style of writing, which exaggerates the news to lure and enrage readers.
  • Jose Marti led Cuba's second war for independence

    Jose Marti led Cuba's second war for independence

    they wanted Cuba to become an American territory. They saw the immediate threat of Cuba 90 miles off the coast of Florida. Many American sugar cane plantation owners became worried over their investments and pushed for American interest in the war.
  • Valeriano Weyler was sent to cuba by spain

    Valeriano Weyler was sent to cuba by spain

    He was sent to restore order. Weyler tried to crush the rebellion by herding the entire rural population of central and western Cuba into barbed wire concentration camps. Here civilians could not give aid to rebels. An estimated 300,000 Cubans filled these camps, where thousands died from hunger and disease. He also caused Newsline wars in the paper for his action while being there.
  • Publication of De Lome letter

    Publication of De Lome letter

    The de Lôme letter criticized President McKinley, calling him “weak” and “a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.” The embarrassed Spanish government apologized, and the minister resigned. Still,
    Americans were angry over the insult to their president.
  • explosion of the USS maine

    explosion of the USS maine

    Early in 1898, President McKinley had ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens in danger from the fighting and to protect American property. On February 15, 1898, the ship blew up in the harbor of Havana. More than 260 men were killed. In 1898, American newspapers claimed the Spanish blew up the ship. “The warship Maine was split in two by an enemy’s secret infernal machine.” Hearst’s paper offered a reward of $50,000 for the capture of the outraged Spaniards.
  • U.S. Invades Cuba

    U.S. Invades Cuba

    On April 20, 1898, McKinley signed a joint Congressional resolution demanding Spanish withdrawal and authorizing the President to use military force to help Cuba gain independence. In response, Spain severed diplomatic relations with the United States on April 21. On the same day, the U.S. Navy began a blockade of Cuba. Both sides declared war; neither had allies.
  • U.S. declares war on Spanish

    U.S. declares war on Spanish

    The first battle took place in a Spanish colony—the Philippine Islands. On April 30, the American fleet in the Pacific steamed to the Philippines.
  • U.S. attack on Manila Bay

    U.S. attack on Manila Bay

    Dewey gave the go-to open fire on the Spanish fleet at Manila/Philippine capital. His men destroyed every Spanish ship there in hours. Dewey’s victory allowed U.S. troops to land in the Philippines. 11,000 Americans joined forces with Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo. In August, Spanish troops in Manila surrendered to the United States.
  • Battle of San Juan hill

    Battle of San Juan hill

    Infantry attack on the strategically important San Juan Hill. Although Roosevelt and his units played only a minor role in the second victory, U.S. newspapers declared him the hero of San Juan Hill.
  • Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba

    Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba

    The Spanish fleet tried to escape the American blockade of the harbor at Santiago. The naval battle that followed, along the Cuban coast, ended in the destruction of the Spanish fleet.
  • Spanish surrender the Philippines

    Spanish surrender the Philippines

    The United States and Spain signed an armistice, a cease-fire agreement, on August 12, ending what Secretary of State John Hay called “a splendid little war.” The actual fighting in the war had lasted only 15 weeks. Sold for $20 million.
  • Capture of Puerto Rico

    Capture of Puerto Rico

    they are controlled either way so they are left un effected by whoever ends up with them/ controlling them.
  • Treaty of Paris 1898

    Treaty of Paris 1898

    The United States and Spain met in Paris to agree on a treaty. At the peace talks, Spain freed Cuba and turned over the islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico in the West Indies to the United States. Spain also sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million.
  • Naval blockade of Cuba

    Naval blockade of Cuba

    In the Caribbean, hostilities began with a naval blockade of Cuba. Admiral William T. Sampson effectively sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba.