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Recomended to Franklin Pierce that the USA should buy Cuba
In 1854 during President Franklin Pierce's presidency, his diplomats advised him to buy Cuba from Spain. The Spanish responded saying they would rather sink Cuba into the ocean than give it to us. -
Cubans forced Spanish to Abolish Slavery
Four years after the ten-year war the spanish aproved a law abolishing slavery. This provided an 8 year window for all slaves to be freed, but the slave owners just made all of the slaves endentured servants. This helped cause American intrest in cuba because the sugar plantation owners knew that no one would buy their sugar if it was produced by slaves. -
War of 1895 for Independence
The United States found interest in Cuba because Cuba was going through a war for independence just as we did. Therefore, we sympathized with the rebels and decided to help them out. -
Cuban Civilians were put in concentration camps
In 1896 cuban civilians were put in concetration camps. The press found out about the concentration camps in Cuba and it enraged American people and many wanted America to help fight for Cuban independence -
The Yellow Press Publishes the De Lome Letter
The De Lome letter, which sparked issues with Spain, was written by Enrique Dupay de Lome, the Spanish ambassador of Cuba. His letter was a personal letter that was stolen and published in the New York Journal. The letter bashed President William Mckinley saying that he was a weak and low politician. This affected the United State's decision to go to war with Spain. -
U.S.S. Maine Explodes
President McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine be sent to Cuba to bring home American citizens that were in danger from the fighting. On this date, the battleship exploded in the harbor of Havana. Over 260 men were killed. This was the last straw that led to the Spanish-American War. -
Period: to
Spanish American War
During this time period, the United States and Spain fought a war that lasted three and a half months. -
McKinley Asked Congress to Declare war on Spain
After the blowing up of U.S.S. Maine and the de Lome letter, Mckinley and the US were fed up with the Spainards. McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain on this date. McKinley wanted to avoid this war but he knew that Congress would force it upon the US no matter what because of the events that happened. -
Battle of Manila Bay
On this day, the Battle of Manila Bay marked the takeover of the Phillipines and the surrendering of the Spanish in the Phillipines. This battle only caused one casualty and only a handful were left injured. The only death was caused by heatstroke. This shows that the US was on a mission and were not messing around with Spain. -
Rough Riders led by TR take over San Juan Hill
On this date, soon-to-be President Theodore Roosevelt led four regiments and a few volunteer regiments along with himself and his "Rough Riders" and Cuban rebels, totaling around 15,000 US and Cuban troops. TR led them to attack 1,270 entrenched Spaniards in dangerous Civil-war style frontal assaults. Around 200 soldiers were killed and 1,200 wounded. TR and his troops, however, did take over San Juan Hill in a pivotal battle in Cuba. -
US Troops invade Puerto Rico
On this date, 3,300 troops landed in Puerto Rico to gain information about the Spanish. There were multiple battles that occured in Puerto Rico but not many were injured. Shortly after the battles, the Spanish began to fire cannons but only four soldiers were injured. Spanish then cried for peace because they didn't stand a chance against our sophisticated military forces. -
Treaty of Paris
Dec. 10th 1898 the United States and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris. The U.S.A. paid $20 million dollars for the Philippines and bought them from Spain. The island of Puerto Rico and Guam were also placed under United States control. The Spainish also gave up their claim on Cuba. -
Foraker Act
The Foraker Act is a United States law that established civilian government on Puerto Rico, which had recently belonged to the US in result to the Spanish-American War. This law also established Puerto Rican citizenship. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt amendment drew the lines for the role of the United States in Cuba. The amendment restricted foreign policy and commercial relations with Cuba. It also demanded that Cuba sell/lease its lands to the US needed for coaling or navy bases.
