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Diplomats recommended for President Franklin Pierce to buy Cuba from Spain in 1854. However, the Spanish responded by saying they would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean. This event was important because it shows how long the United States had been interested in Cuba. -
Cuba's first war for independence from Spain was between 1868 and 1878 and is now known as the Ten Years' War, but was unsuccessful. This event was important because it shows how long Cuba had wanted to be independent from Spain. -
In 1895, Jose Marti organized Cuban resistance against Spain. He used an active guerrilla campaign and deliberately destroyed property, especially American-owned sugar mills and plantations, to provoke American intervention. This event was important because the destroying of American property sparked their interest in joining the war. -
General Weyler was sent as a response to the Cuban revolt against Spain to restore order. He attempted to stop the rebellion by herding the entire rural population of central and western Cuba into barbed wire concentration camps. By doing this, they would not be able to give aid to rebels. Around 300,000 Cubans filled these camps and thousands died from hunger and disease. This event was important because it increased American sympathy for the Cubans, with the help of yellow journalism. -
Yellow journalism exaggerates the news to lure and enrage readers. William Randolph Hearst of the New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer of the New York World were two very popular yellow journalism writers at the time. Some examples of the stories they would publish include poisoned wells, children being thrown to sharks, etc., which fueled America's wanting to hold a war against Spain. This event was important because yellow journalism increased America's sympathy for the Cubans. -
The de Lome letter was a private letter written by the Spanish minister of the United States. It was stolen by a Cuban rebel and later published by the New York Journal. It caused Americans to become angry as the letter criticized President McKinley. This event was important because it increased America's hatred towards the Spanish, making it more likely for them to be involved in the war. -
President McKinley had ordered the U.S.S. Maine to bring back Americans in danger from the fighting in Cuba and to protect American property. However, on February 15, 1898, the ship blew up on the Harbor of Havana. More than 260 men were killed in this incident. This event was important because it was the deciding factor for joining the war against Spain as the Americans blamed the Spanish for the explosion. -
The United States declared war against Spain on April 20, 1898. The deciding factor leading to this declaration was the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine. This event was important because the Americans were finally joining the war against Spain after a long period of deciding whether or not they should. -
On May 1, Commodore George Dewey gave the command to open fire on the Spanish fleet at the Philippine capital of Manila. This event was important because it was the first attack, made by the Americans, of the Spanish-American War. -
American forces arrived in Cuba in June 1898 and met up at the port city of Santiago. This event was important because it was the start of America's fight for Cuba's independence. -
The first part of the battle, on nearby Kettle Hill, held a dramatic uphill charge by the Rough Riders and the Ninth and Tenth Calvaries. This battle cleared the way for an attack on the important San Juan Hill. Theodore Roosevelt was declared the hero of San Juan Hill by the newspapers, even though he played only a minor role. This event was important because the Battle of San Juan Hill was the main battle of Cuba and it was an easy victory. -
Admiral William T. Sampson effectively sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba with a naval blockade. This event was important because America was making efforts to rid the Spanish of the Cubans. -
The Spanish fleet had tried to escape the American blockade of the harbor at Santiago. The naval battle along the Cuban coast ended in the destruction of the Spanish fleet. This event was important because it showed the power of the United State's naval base during that time. -
On July 25, the United States invaded Puerto Rico and captured it due to the lack of defence of the Puerto Rican people. This event was important because the capture of Puerto Rico led America to have an empire. -
The United States and Spain signed an armistice, which ended the war at about 15 weeks. This event was important because it ended the fighting between the United States and Spain. -
With the Treaty of Paris, Spain sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million. This event was important because America was taking steps to expand its empire. -
With the Treaty of Paris, the Spanish freed Cuba, turned over the islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico in the West Indies, and sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million. This event was important because it allowed for Cuba to be free, which was how the war started, and it also allowed for America to grow its empire.