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US Attempt to Purchase Cuba
Diplomats recommended to President Pierce that the US buy Cuba from Spain in 1854. However, the Spanish responded to this recommendation by refusing to give Cuba to Americans and stating that they would rather see the island sink. This was important because this led to the first interest that America had in Cuba, which would lead to many events that later take place. -
Cuba's First War For Independence
Cuba's first war for independence included a revolt against Spain. This war lasted 10 years and ended with many deaths. This revolt was not successful. However, Cuba did get Spain to abolish slavery in 1886. America sympathized over the Cubans and began to invest in large sugar plantations on the island. This was important because it was the first attempt Cuba made to be free from Spain. -
Jóse Martí Leads Cuba's Second War For Independence
Jóse Martí was a Cuban poet and journalist, and he organized was an important leader in Cuba's second war for independence. He led people to the destroying of property, which included American-owned sugar mills and plantations. This was important because it caused Americans to be split about the Cubans. Some Americans wanted the government to support Spain, and others stood with the rebel cause of a free Cuba. -
Valeriano Weyler Sent to Cuba by Spain
In order to restore order in Cuba, Valeriano Weyler was sent there by Spain. When he got there, he attempted to stop the rebellion led by Jóse Martí by leading the Cuban people to concentration camps. However, many Cubans died there due to a lack of food and health services. This was important because it showed how Spain was willing to put Cubans into concentration camps in order to keep them away from Cuban rebels and Americans. -
Yellow Press Begin to Shape American Public Opinion with Respect to Cuba's Civil War
Yellow journalism was used to exaggerate the events of Cuba's Civil War. Some of the stories included how Spain would poison wells, and throw children to the sharks. As a result, Americans had sympathy for the Cuban rebels. This was important because it was one of the main events that encouraged war to take place. -
Publication of the De Lóme Letter
The De Lóme letter was written by the Spanish minister to the United States. The letter was not meant to be released, but a Cuban rebel stole it from the post office and gave it to the newspaper. In the letter, Enrique Dubuy de Lóme explained how he thought President McKinley was weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd. The Spanish government later apologized. This was important because it was one of the main events that led to war. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
The explosion of the USS Maine took place because President McKinley ordered this ship to go to Cuba in order to bring home the American citizens who were in danger. However, the ship later blew up in the harbor of Havana and resulted in about 260 deaths. No one knew how the ship exploded, but some said it was because of the Spanish enemies. This was important because it was the main event that led to the Spanish-American war since Americans put the blame of this casualty on Spain. -
US Declares War on Spain
After the explosion of the USS Maine, the people of the United States began to favor war against Spain. After McKinley gave this idea to congress on April 11, they debated on this topic. A week later on April 20, congress agreed to war. This was important because it was the first step towards the Spanish-American war. -
US Attack on Manila Bay
The Spanish thought the Americans would begin the war by invading Cuba, but they started in the Philippines. On April 30, the American fleet arrived there, and the next day, George Dewey gave the command to open fire on the capital (Manila). Hours later, the US had destroyed every Spanish ship there. This event was important because it was America's first victory against Spain. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The battle of San Juan Hill included four African-American regiments and the Rough Riders led by Theodore Roosevelt. The first attack was led by the Rough Riders and two African-American regiments. The Americans won the victory. This was important because it represented the second victory of the Americans in the Spanish-American war. -
US Invades Cuba
In June, the Americans finally arrived in Cuba and began to converge in Santiago. This was important because it showed how the Americans finally began to fight alongside the Cubans. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
The war in the Caribbean included a naval blockade of Cuba. Admiral William T. Sampson sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. This was important because it showed how the Spanish tried to hide from America in order to protect themselves. -
Destruction of Spanish Fleet in Cuba
A couple of days after the victory of the battle of San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet attempted to escape America's blockade of the harbor at Santiago. However, a naval battle followed this attmept, and ended with the destruction of the Spanish fleet. This event was important because it marked the second time that the Spanish fleet was destroyed by the Americans in the Spanish-American war. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
When the US invaded Puerto Rico on July 25, they immediately captured the Puerto Rican people because they were unarmed, and not able to defend themselves. This event was important because it showed how the United States gained the land of Puerto Rico, which grew their empire. -
Armistice Signed Between the US and Spain
On August 12, 1898, the United States and Spain signed a cease-fire agreement and ended a war that lasted 15 weeks. This was important because it led to peace between the United States and Spain. -
Treaty of Paris
A few months after the armistice was signed between the United States and Spain, they arrived in Paris in order to agree on a treaty. This included Spain freeing Cuba, and giving the United States the islands of Guam in the Pacific, and Puerto Rico. This was important because it marked the day when Cuba was finally free from Spain, and what America gained from the war to grow its empire. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
The war in the Philippines ended due to Spain surrendering to the United States. As a result, the US gained the land of the Philippines for 20 million dollars. This event was part of the treaty of Paris. This was important because it showed how America's empire began to grow even more.