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U.S. attempts to purchase Cuba
This event was important because it was the first event that started the Spanish-American war, maybe not legally, but it was the first event. It started when the U.S. proposed to buy Cuba, and Spain responds by saying they would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean than to sell it to the U.S. -
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Cuba's first war for independence
This was the first Cuban Civil War. It is important because it was the start to everything in the Spanish American War. -
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José Martí led Second Cuban Civil War
This was the second Cuban Civil war, which resulted in Cuba's freedom from Spain and the Spanish American War. It was stirred up in America as well with the statement “Cuba
Libre!”. Cuban journalist José Martiní started raising support in America for the war. It was important because it resulted in Cuba's freedom and got the U.S. to go to war with Spain. -
Valeriano Weyler gets sent to Cuba
General Valeriano "The Butcher" Weyler was sent to Cuba to bring order. He attempted to restore order by putting the central Cuban population and the rural population into concentration camps, but that just resulted in lots of death. This is important because Weyler was who Americans blamed for everything and it was a significant driving factor to send the U.S. to war against Spain. -
The Yellow Press molds the veiw of Americans.
The press printed exaggerated accounts—by reporters such as
James Creelman—of “Butcher” Weyler’s brutality to lure readers. This is important because it shaped the minds of millions of Americans in favor of going to war. -
Publication of the de Lôme Letter
The Spanish minister to the United States, Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, wrote a letter to Spain that called President McKinley “weak” and “a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.”. It was intercepted by Cuban rebels and sold to the New York Journal. The journal then published it and Americans were outraged. This is important because it was one of the major deciding factors for Americans to go to war with Spain. -
The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine
The president sent the Maine to Cuba to get American Citizens home and protect American Property. When the Maine exploded it killed more than 260 men. This is important because even though we still don't know the true cause of the explosion, American's blamed Spain and it was the last straw. “Remember the
Maine!” became the rallying cry for the U.S. -
U.S. declares war on spain
This is simply when the U.S. declared war on Spain after Americans convinced McKinley to present it to congress. This is important because it was when the U.S. officially entered the War. -
U.S. Attack on Manila Bay
Commodore George Dewey gave the command to open fire on
the Spanish fleet at Manila, the Philippine capital. Within hours, Dewey’s men had destroyed every Spanish ship there. Dewey’s victory allowed U.S. troops to land in the Philippines. Dewey had the support of the Filipinos who also wanted freedom from Spain. Over the next few months, Americans helped the rebels until Spain surrendered in August. This is important because it was the first shots of the Spanish American War. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
This was the final battle before the surrender of Santiago. It was a two-part battle, with the first part on nearby Kettle hill. It was important because Santiago was the last Spanish stronghold in Cuba. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
Admiral William T. Sampson effectively sealed up the Spanish
fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. This is important because at the same time the U.S. invaded Cuba. -
U.S. Invades Cuba
This is when the U.S. sent troops to Cuba. This is important because it is when the U.S. landed in Cuba. -
Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba
During the naval blockade in Santiago de Cuba, Sampson sealed the Spanish fleet in Santiago Bay. This is important because Spain no longer had a naval defense against America -
Capture of Puerto Rico
After the victory in Cuba, the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico. This is important because Puerto Rico was one of the last pieces of the Spanish Empire. -
Armistice is signed between the U.S. and Spain
The United States and Spain signed an armistice ending the actual fighting. This is important because it is the end of the fighting. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
The United States and Spain met in Paris to agree on a treaty. Said treaty resulted in U.S. control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and after $20 million, The Philipines. The treaty caused a lot of debate in the U.S. and on February 6, 1899, the senate approved the signing of the Treaty of Paris. This is important because it marked the end of the Spanish American War and resulted in much more land for the U.S. -
Spain surrenders the Philippines
Spain surrendered the Philippines during the Treaty of Paris 1898. It is important because it was an add-on to the American empire.