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U.S Attempt to Buy Cuba
The United States held an interest in Cuba. It lied 90 miles off the coast of Florida. In 1854, diplomats recommend to President Franklin Pierce that he buy it. Spain responded by saying they would rather watch it sink in the ocean. This event is important because it furthered American interest in Cuba. -
Cuba's First War of Independence
The first war of independence in Cuba was the Ten Years' War which lasted from 1868-1878. During this war, Cuban born-planters and wealthy natives fought for independence from Spain. Slavery was also abolished. Cubans lost to Spain due to the misfortunes and the deaths of their leaders of the revolt. Spain changed their policy and offered reform. This event was important because it influenced the start of the Spanish-American War. -
Jose Marti - Second War for Independence
Jose Marti was a poet and journalist exile in New York. He launched the Cuban revolution against Spain. He was a key factor in this timeline because he starts the second revolt against Spain. -
Yellow Press
General Weyler's actions caused an uproar in America. It created a war between newspapers. The New York Journal and The New York World posted exaggerated accounts of what was happening in Cuba. This style of sensational writing lured readers in. This type of writing was called yellow journalism. The yellow press is an important key factor in this timeline. It fueled American interest and sympathy. It increased the involvement of the United States in Cuba. -
Valeriano Weyler being sent to Cuba by Spain
General Valeriano Weyler was sent out to Cuba to restore order and crush the rebellion. He herded the entire rural population of central and western Cuba into barbed-wire concentration camps. This event was critical because this event caused outrage and influence the yellow press which had an impact on the United States. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
The Spain minister to the United States, Enrique Dupuy de Lome, wrote a letter that was stolen by a Cuban rebel. In this letter, he criticized President McKinely and called "weak" and "a bidder for the admiration of the crowd." Americans were outraged by this letter. The event of the De Lome letter was important since it created tension which leads to McKinely asking Congress to declare war. -
Explosion of the U.S.S Maine
In 1898, the U.S.S Maine was ordered to bring American citizens home to protect them from the dangers of fighting and protect American property. Shortly after the publication of the De Lome letter, the ship blew up in the harbor of Havana. No one knows how or why it blew up. More than 260 men were killed. The explosion of the U.S.S Maine impacted the American interest. This event was blamed on Spain and was one of the reasons for the start of the Spanish-American War. -
U.S. declares war on Spain
Public opinion favored war after the explosion of the U.S.S Maine in the harbor of Havana. President McKinley asked Congress to authorize force against Spain on April 11. After much debate, on April 20, Congress agreed and declared war. The importance of this event was great because it officially starts the war. -
U.S Attack on Manila Bay
The American fleet headed to the Philippines on April 30th. The next day, Commodore George Dewey ordered to open fire on the Spanish fleet. They destroyed every Spanish ship there. They weakened the Spanish fleet in this surprise attack and it was important to the victory for the US in the Spanish-American War. -
U.S Invades Cuba
The United States began with a naval blockade of Cuba. They then sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Cuba. This was important to the timeline because it allowed America to attack with the Spanish having no escape. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
During the war, the first move on Cuba that the US made was a naval blockade. They sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. This move was important because it allowed troops to safely get to Cuba and fight without the Spanish trying to flee. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
On July 1, 1898, the Rough Riders and two African American regimens marched uphill after the victory in the battle on Kettle Hill. They won the battle on top of San Juan Hill. This destruction of the Spanish fleet was an important factor because it led to the American victory of the war. -
Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba
After the battle of San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet tried to flee. They were then blockaded by the US and their ships were destroyed. This event was important because it weakened their forces and allowed the United States to also take Puerto Rico. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
After the victory on San Juan Hill, the Spanish tried to escape. The Us blockaded them in the harbor of Santiago and destroyed their fleet. After this victory, troops invaded Puerto Rico. This capture of Puerto Rico was important because it was soon turned over to the United States in the Treaty of Paris along with Guam and the freeing of Cuba. -
Armistice is signed
On August 12, Spain and the United States signed an armistice. This was important because it marked the end of the war because it ended the fighting. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
After Dewey's victory at Manila Bay, troops were able to land. Over the next two months, United States troops and Cuban rebels joined forces. Spanish troops then surrendered. This was a critical event during this war because the Spanish lost an important asset to them. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
On August 12th, Spain, and the United States signed an armistice. Then on December 10th, they met in Paris to form a treaty. During this, Spain freed Cuba and turned over the islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico in the West Indies to the United States. Spain also sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million. This was important because it was a win for the US and attributed to imperialism.