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U.S. attempts to purchase Cuba
The U.S. was very interested in calling Cuba their own, but Cuba was a part of Spain. Diplomats told President Franklin Pierce that the U.S. should attempt to purchase Cuba, resulting in Spain telling the U.S. they would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean. -
Cuba’s first war for independence
Cuba revolted against Spain in 1868-1878 in an attempt to get its freedom. Americans sympathized with the Cuban people during this time. Their revolt wasn't successful, but slavery was abolished in 1886. Americans then started investing in Cuban land for sugar cane. -
Jose Marti led Cuba’s second war for independence
A Cuban poet and journalist who launched a revolution for Cuba in 1895. He led the Cuban people to destroy property, including American-owned land, so they could attempt to prevent being a part of the U.S. as well, but instead be a free Cuba. Americans again started to sympathize with the Cubans. -
The Yellow Press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba’s Civil War
William Randolf Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer wrote stories on what was happening to Cubans during the second war for independence. The stories were exaggerated greatly to lure and enrage readers, especially readers in America to deepen their sympathy. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
Spain sent Valeriano Weyler to Cuba to restore order to respond to the Cuban revolt. Valeriano Weyler went to Cuba to destroy the rebellion by rounding up the entire population of Cuba. Civilians were put into concentration camps. -
Publication of the De Lôme Letter
The letter was written privately by Enrique Dupay de Lôme, the Spanish minister to the United States. The letter was stolen, then published for everyone to see. In the said letter, there were criticizing words about William McKinley, which enraged the Americans even more. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
McKinley had sent a USS Maine to go capture Americans in Cuba to protect them from danger. On their way back to America on February 15, 1898, the ship exploded killing more than 260 men. Still today no one is sure of the cause as to why the ship exploded, but suspicions are the Spanish are at fault. -
U.S. declares war on Spain
On April 11th, Mckinley asked congress for permission to use force on Spain. After a week of debating whether or not to use force against Spain, Congress Agreed so on April 20th the United States declared war against Spain. -
Naval blockade of Cuba
War in the Caribbean started off with a naval blockade of Cuba. Admiral William T. Sampson sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. The United States naval forces were demonstrating superiority for the United States. -
U.S. attack on Manila Bay
This was the first battle after the declaration of war. On April 31, Americans came to the Philippines and the next day they were given the command to open fire by George Dewey. Within hours all of the Spanish ships were destroyed. This victory allowed for the U.S. to land its troops in the Philippines. In August, Spanish troops in Manila surrenderred to the United States. -
U.S. invades Cuba
American forces landed and invaded Cuba in June of 1898. The army of 17,000 included four African-Americans and the Rough Riders. The Rough Riders were a volunteer cavalry led by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The most famous land battle in Cuba took place near Santiago on July 1. The first part of the battle, on nearby Kettle Hill, featured a dramatic uphill charge by the Rough Riders and two African - American regiments, the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries. Their victory cleared the way for an infantry attack on the strategically important San Juan Hill. -
Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba
A few days later after San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet tried to escape the American Blockade. The Naval Battle followed along the coast of Cuba, which led to the destruction of the Spanish fleet. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
Americans invaded Puerto Rico after the destruction of the Spanish fleet. In December, during the peace talks between Spain and the United States, Spain freed Cuba and turned over Guam, and Puerto Rico to the United States. -
Armistice is signed between the U.S. and Spain
The United States and Spain signed a Armistice, a cease-fire agreement. John Hay Secretary of State called it a "Little Splendid war". The war only lasted about 15 weeks. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
The United States and Spain signed a truce, an agreement that was about crease fire. On December 10th both the United States and Spain met in Paris to agree to the treaty. At the end of it, Spain freed Cuba. -
Spanish surrender the Philippines
On December 10, 1898, the United States and Spain met to agree on a treaty. In the meeting, Spain freed Cuba and turned over the islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico in the West Indies. Spain also sold the Philippines to the United States for 20 million dollars.