-
US attempt to purchase Cuba
In 1854, the United States attempts to buy Cuba from Spain, but they completely reject us saying that they rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean than have it be American land. When the Cubans started to rebel against Spain in 1868 and 1878, the Americans showed empathy towards the Cuban people. This soon lead to Cubans to trust the Americans more than ever, letting them invest millions of dollars to make large sugarcane plantations. -
Cuba's first war for independence
The United States believed that Cuba ought to belong to them, especially because it was only 90 miles south of Florida. America still remained determined to someday own Cuba. Cubans rebelled against Spain between 1868 and 1878, and America started to sympathize with Cuba. This is important because Spain was once one of the most powerful colonial nations. The war ended when the Spanish told the Cubans they could be apart of the government, but never filled their empty promise. -
Jose Marti led Cuba’s Second War For Independence
Jose Marti was a Cuban writer. He had settled in the U.S. after being expelled from Cuba because of his revolutionary activities. In 1895, he launched a revolution. He organized Cuban resistance against Spain. Property was destroyed, especially American-owned sugar mills. Marti wanted to help the rebels in achieving a free Cuba. Businesses wanted the government to support Spain in order to protect their investments. Martí helped achieve Cuba’s independence, though not until years after he died. -
Valeriano Weyler's camps that conquer
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain to restore order. He tried to crush many of the rebellions by herding the rural population into concentration camps so they could not aid the rebels. Over 300,000 Cubans were brought to these camps while many died from disease, hunger and more. The United States used this information to increase sympathy in the for many of the rebels. Weyler’s actions greatly fueled a war over newspapers in America letting everyone know what was going on in Cuba. -
The Yellow Press
The Yellow Press Began to Shape American Public Opinion With Respect to Cuba’s Civil War. Yellow journalism was exaggerating the news to lure in readers. William Randolph Hearst, writer for The New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer, writer for The New York World printed exaggerated accounts. They gave more and more attention to the Cuban struggle for their independence. Sometimes, false stories would be printed. These papers, complete with bold headings and creative drawings, were big sellers for -
The publication of De Lôme's Letter
The publication was a discrimination towards President McKinley who was president at the time. In the Letter, De Lôme attacked Mckinley verbally, calling him thing such as a “low politician” and “weak”. This lead to American aggression that caused the US to declare war on Spain a few months later. -
U.S.S Maine Explodes
The U.S.S. Maine explodes in the harbor of Havana and almost 260 men were killed. No one is sure who destroyed the ship, but later newspapers claim that the U.S.S Maine was destroyed by Spain which led to the Spanish-American war. This is important because it was the final push that convinced America to go to war with Spain. -
US Declares War on Spain
The American public greatly wanted to get involved with the war. However, President McKinley wanted to stay out of it. After the destruction of the U.S.S. Maine and the concentration camps, citizens who wanted war did not hold back and instead urged America to get involved. Finally McKinley asked congress for permission to use force on Spain. And on April 20, America declared war. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
The Spanish fleet was sealed up in the Santiago de Cuba. There were 125,000 Americans that volunteered to fight , but there was not enough modern guns to pass around. Along with that, the type of clothing wasn't compatible with the type of environment they would be in. In addition to this, Cival War veterans spent their time talking about their war experiences rather than training new volunteers. The blockade was beneficial to stop their supplies and reinforcements. -
US attack on Manila Bay
George Dewey opened fire on the Spanish fleet on Manila, the Philippine capital. Every single ship was demolished. This victory allowed US troops to make way into the Philippines. American joined forces with Filipino's rebels to continue their quest to gain freedom from Spain. This was essential to many further victories that the Americans helped the Filipinos in. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet
In the Caribbean, hostility began from the blockade of Cuba. Admiral William Sampson effectively sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. It's important because it was the next step in the destruction of the Spanish. -
US Forces Invade Cuba
U.S forces landed in Cuba in June of 1898. They landed with army of 17,000 men. That army consisted of four African-American regiments and a volunteer regiment. Theodore Roosevelt and Leonard Wood were the volunteer cavalry over the Rough Riders. They won the war later on and Theodore became president because of it, even though he wasn't a big part of the war. This was beneficial to TR winning the votes over to become the president because every president before him had served in a war. -
Battle of Kettle/San Juan Hill
It is considered the most famous land battle in Cuba. The first part of the battle took place on Kettle Hill where the Rough Riders and the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries charged uphill. This gave the opportunity for an infantry attack on San Juan Hill. Newspapers declared Roosevelt a hero, although he only played a minor role in the battle. After they had a naval battle which then followed the destruction of the Spanish fleet. Because of the victory, the US wanted more and invaded Puerto Rico. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
United States forces invaded Puerto Rico. With little resistance and seven deaths, US troops under General Nelson A. Miles were able to secure the island by mid August. After the signing of an armistice with Spain, American troops raised the flag over the island. It was important because we wanted to be an empirialized counrtry and we wanted to americanize Puerta Rico later on. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
Americans teamed up with the Filipino rebels to gain freedom from Spain. Later in August, Spanish troops surrended to the United States. The victory completely demonstrated the superiority of the United States naval forces. This was important because it showed how much the US was achieving. (aka Army Superiorty). -
Armistice is Signed Between US and Spain
The cease fire agreement was signed by the United States and Spain and ended what was called a "splendid little war". This war actually lasted only 15 weeks. This was important because it ended the war between the United states and Spain and also led to the freeing of Cuba and the gaining of Guam and Puerto Rico -
Treaty of Paris
The U.S and Spain signed a ceasefire agreement. This ended a war that had only lasted 15 weeks. Even though the it’s named the Treaty of Paris was actually a treaty between Spain and the United States. We also bought the Philippines for $20 million. it caused debate in the U.S. on whether or not the U.S. had the right to annex the Philippines. Some said the treaty denied self government to the new territories.
