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America had long been interested in the control of Cuba. many political and powerful people in our country suggested in 1854 that we try to buy Cuba from Spain. We tried, but the Spanish declined our offer harshly. -
The Cubans first war for independence started in 1868 and was unsuccessful. It was led by Maximo Gomez. Although the revolution failed, it did lead to the end of slavery in Cuba in 1886. Because there was no longer the negative connotation of slavery in Cuba, American investors began to put their money into the sugar cane plantations in the country. -
Although Jose Marti was not an experienced warrior, he was a part of the war and the main inspiration for the second war for independence. Marti was a poet and journalist, he launched a revolution in 1895 and continued to motivate the troops to fight for their independence. By using guerilla campaigns and destroying American property, he got the Americans to join the war. He died very early in the War but continued to motivate the troops because of his legacy. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent from Spain to control the Revolt of Cuba before the American Military became involved with the war. He decided that the best way to do this was to place everyone in concentration camps. By doing this the civilians could not help the rebels in their doings, and he could capture them because they were the only ones outside the camps. -
The yellow press was a form of journalism that exaggerates news stories to entertain and enrage the people of America. The Yellow Press was known for making large stories about the happenings in Cuba and over the subject of their war for independence. Some of the main articles published by the yellow press include "Butcher" and stories of the destruction of the U.S.S. Maine. These stories led to mass uproars in political opinions and the need for war. -
The De Lome Letter published by the New York Journal was written by the Spanish Minister to the United States Enrique Dupuy de Lome. A Cubanrebel had stolen it from the Havana post office and had sent it to the American Publishing company. With the ongoing competition in journalism, New your Journal was fast to publish it and send it everywhere. -
President McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring back American citizens aboard, away from danger, also so soldiers could stop the destruction of American property. However, after only three days in the harbor, the U.S.S. Maine exploded. Hundreds died and tensions were high on who was to blame. Of course, America was quick to blame Spain for the destruction. It was a huge break for Yellow Journalists back in America and there was a 50,000 dollar reward for the culprit.. -
After the explosion of the U.S.S. Main there was no holding back from the American Citizens. We wanted war and so did the Cubans.
Newspapers left and right embraced the phrase "Remember the Maine," and our country was for it. On April 11th Mckinley asked congress if he could see force against pain and on the twentieth of that same month we declared war. -
It was thought that the first place that American Naval Ships would fight was Cuba, however, we went to the Philipines and met the other naval ships at Manila Bay. -
On the thirtieth of April, the U.S Navy Vessels aimed towards the Philipines. The very next morning the ships were given orders to open fire on the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay by George Dewey. Within the span of just a few hours, our fleet had destroyed every single ship in Spains Fleet. And we gained the favor of the Filipinos on the way. -
Two days after the Battle of San Juan Hill was won by the Americans, the Spanish fleet tried to escape the Americans Fleet blockade by Santiago and we opened fire upon them. The Naval battle ended with the utter destruction of the Spanish fleet. -
America landed on the shores of Cuba in June of 1898. We went to the port city of Santiago and arrived with an army of 17,000 men, African American men, and Rough Riders. All of which were led by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt. -
This was one of the most famous battles in Cuba and it took place near Santiago. We start from the bottom of the hill and charged our way up. Rough Riders and Two African American Regiments rode valiantly into the fight and claimed victory in the end. -
When we had won the war on Cuba, the Spanish fleet attempted to escape through our blockade and started a naval war. However, our American vessels shot them all down and annihilated their entire navy fleet. -
We invaded Puerto Rico on the 25th of July in 1898 and were met by nothing. No one was there to guard and defend Puerto Rico from our control and therefore we got it. American troops stormed the territory and took over the country. -
This was the official cease-fire of the war and meant that the UNited States had one the Spanish-American War. -
The Treaty of Paris was signed by Spanish and American representatives in order to signify the end of a war. Under this treaty, Spain signed off their control of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philipines to The United States.