-
US Attempts to Purchase Cuba
In 1854, America showed interest in purchasing Cuba. When President Franklin Pierce tried to purchase Cuba, Spain responded saying they would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean. This attempt to purchase Cuba showed everyone that we were willing to go to war because we thought that Cuba was valuable. -
Cuba's First War for Independence
Between 1868-1878, the Cubans fought a war for independence. The revolt wasn't successful, but slavery was abolished. Americans began to invest tons of money into sugar plantations in Cuba. -
Jose Marti led Cuba's Second War for Independence
Jose Marti was a Cuban poet and journalist who led the revolution against Spain, but he died in his first battle. To help push Americans into the war, he and his men destroyed American-owned sugar mills. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
Spain sent General Valeriano Weyler in response to the Cuban revolt. He tried to stop the rebellion by rounding them up and putting them into concentration camps. Around 300,000 Cubans filled these camps and thousands died from starvation and disease. His actions made yellow journalism become a big deal in America. -
The Yellow Press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba's Civil War
Around 1896 (after Weyler created the concentration camps), William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) and Joseph Pulitzer (New York World) would print exaggerated stories about what Weyler was doing (poisoned wells and kids being thrown in with sharks). This caused Americans to feel bad for the Cuban rebels and the style of writing became known as yellow journalism. -
Publication of De Lome Letter
In February of 1898, the New York Journal publishes a letter written by Enrique Dupuy de Lome (Spanish minister to the US). The letter was sent in by a Cuban rebel who had stolen it from a post office in Havana; the letter called McKinley ‘weak’ and ‘a bidder for the administration of the crowd’. This angered America, even after the minister apologized and resigned. -
US invades Cuba
In June 1898, U.S forces landed (Rough Riders) in Cuba and converged on the port city of Santiago; Rough Riders were a volunteer cavalry under the command of Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt who had plenty of experience with guns and riding horses. -
Spanish surrender the Philippines
In August, during the peace talks consulting the Treaty of Paris, Spain sold the Philippines to the US for $20 million. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
President McKinley ordered the USS Maine to bring home American citizens from Cuba, but it was blown up in the Havana harbor with more than 260 men killed. No one knew who was responsible for the explosion, but newspapers accused the Spanish. This was a strong factor that led McKinley to begin a war. -
US declares war on Spain
After tension between the two countries occurred, McKinley asked Congress if he could use force against Spain. After a lot of debate, Congress agreed and the United States declared war on Spain. -
Naval blockade of Cuba
US naval blockade surrounds Cuba so no one can get in or get out. Cubans are frustrated because they can’t leave the island. -
US attack on Manila Bay
George Dewey gave the command to open fire on the Spanish fleet in the Philippine capital. In a few hours, they won, allowing U.S. troops to land in the Philippines. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill was the most famous battle in Cuba. It started when the Rough Riders and the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries charged Kettle Hill, then assisted the attack on San Juan Hill. TR became known as the hero of San Juan Hill, even though he played a minor part in the victories. -
Destruction of Spanish Fleet in Cuba
The Spanish fleet tried to escape the American blockade, but they were unable to escape and were destroyed. After they destroyed the fleet, American troops invaded Puerto Rico. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
The US landed in Puerto Rico and claimed it as our own before any other country could claim it. -
Armistice signed between the US and Spain
Spain and the US signed this in order to stop the war that lasted 15 weeks. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
US and Spain meet in Paris and agree on a treaty. Spain freed Cuba, gave Guam and Puerto Rico to the US, and the US bought the Philippines to the US for $20 million. Some Americans didn’t like that we bought the Philippines because of imperialism, but McKinley ‘justified’ it by saying that they needed to Christianize the Filipinos.