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America Interest in Cuba
America had become interested in buying Cuba. Cuba was only 90 miles away from Florida. America was interested in Cuba because they had a lot of sugar cane and they wouldn't have to pay taxes to get it. The sugar cane could bring income into America. -
U.S attempt to purchase Cuba
The U.S government tried to secretly attempt to buy Cuba for 130 million but failed when anti-slavery campaigners exposed the scandal. Spain responded by saying they would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean. -
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Cuba's first war for Independence
Cuba fights for Independence from Spain to abolish slavery and to get freedom. When the Cubans revolted it abolished slavery but was not successful in any other case. -
Cuba's forced to abolish slavery
Cuba's first war was unsuccessful. The war did abolish slavery for Cuba though. After the emancipation of Cuba's slaves, America started to invest millions of dollars into sugar cane plantations. -
Jose Marti led Cuba's Second War for Independence
Jose Marti was a Cuban poet and journalist that launched a revolution. Marti organized Cuban resistance against Spain. He destroyed American property, mainly plantations and mills. -
The Yellow Press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba’s Civil War
American newspaper writers would exaggerate and make fake articles to lure readers. Writers made up stories about poisoned wells and that children were being fed to sharks. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
Spain responded to the Cuban revolt by sending General Valeriano Weyler to Cuba 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. 300,000 Cubans were in these camps and lots died from hunger and disease. -
Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba
Two days after the Battle at San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet tried to escape the American blockade of the harbor at Santiago. The naval battle after resulted in the destruction of the Spanish fleet. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
Written by the Spanish ambassador that criticized McKinley. The Spanish ambassador said that McKinley was weak and stood no chance against them. The letter got into the hands of the rebels and they shared it. -
Explosion of the U.S.S Maine
Only a few days after the publication of the De Lome letter, American resentment towards Spain turned to outrage. President McKinley had ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens in danger. Spain blew up the ship in the harbor of Havana and 260 people died. -
U.S declares war on Spain
After the Spanish blew up the U.S.S. Maine, President McKinley declared war on Spain. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
Admiral William T. Sampson sealed up the Spanish fleet in Santiago de Cuba. It was only 400 miles wide and there was only one way in and one way out. -
U.S attack Manila Bay
George Dewey gave order to open fire on the Spanish fleet at Manila. Within hours the Spanish fleet was destroyed and troops were landed in the Philippines. -
U.S Invades Cuba
After the attack on Manila Bay, a group called the rough riders invaded Cuba. The rough riders were 4 African American regiments that totaled up 17,000 troops. The rough riders were commanded by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The US charged up the hill to take out the Spanish. This was known as the bloodiest and most famous battle in the war. Teddy Roosevelt and the Roughriders fought in this war. -
Armistice is signed between the U.S and Spain
It was an agreement made by America and Spain that ceased the war for a certain period of time. This would be the end of the war but the war was not over until a treaty was signed. -
Spanish surrender the Philippines
Spanish surrendered the Philippines after we attacked at Manila and joined up with the rebels to help Cuba. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
Following the destruction of the Spanish fleet, the US invaded Puerto Rico on July 25th. Then on December 10th, the US and Spain signed a treaty. This gave America ownership of Peurto Rico. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
The Treaty of Paris was signed by America and Spain. It meant an official end to the war. Spain freed Cuba and gave the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States. Spain also sold the Philippines to America for 20 million dollars.