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U.S. attempt to purchase Cuba
President Franklin Pierce tried to buy Cuba from Spain. Spain didn't want to give up their islands. They said they would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean. -
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Cuba's first war for independence
Citizens of Cuba had a revolution against Spain. They didn't get anything out of it until Spain abolished slavery eight years later. -
José Martí led Cuba's second war for independence
José Martí led a revolution against Spain. The rebels destroyed American property in order to get the U.S. involved in the revolution. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
When Cuba was trying to rebel against Spain, Spain sent Weyler to stop them. His way of stopping them was by putting civilians in concentration camps so they couldn't help the rebels. -
The yellow press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba's civil war
The yellow press would exaggerate stories about the Cuban revolutions. This would give Americans more sympathy towards the Cuban rebels. Later, after the USS Maine exploded, papers made many Americans want war. -
Publication of the De Lôme letter
Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, the Spanish minister for the U.S., wrote a letter that was taken from a post office and released to the newspaper. The letter talked badly about President McKinley, so it made Americans angry. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
The USS Maine exploded after heading to Cuba to bring Americans back home in case of a war. Although they didn't know exactly who caused it, it was most likely Spain. -
U.S. declares war on Spain
After the explosion of the USS Maine, American newspapers were pointing all the blame towards Spain. It was certain that they were going to war. -
Naval blockade of Cuba
William T. Sampson created a naval blockade of Cuba, trapping the Spanish inside. The U.S. had a powerful Navy, so it was very effective. -
U.S. attack on Manila Bay
George Dewey attacked the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. They destroyed all of the Spanish ships. This helped lead to the Spanish surrendering in Manila. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
Americans attacked the Spanish near the Cuban City of Santiago. This battle is well known because Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders made an appearance which helped him build popularity. -
U.S. invades Cuba
Cuba had been fighting for independence from Spain for years. America was interested in Cuba, but they couldn't buy it from Spain. Cuban rebels got the U.S. involved with their revolution, and helped themselves get freed, and helped the U.S. get Cuba. -
Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba
After the Battle of San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet attempted to leave the harbor at Santiago. The U.S. blockade destroyed the Spanish fleet. They later invaded Puerto Rico because of defeating them. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
After the Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba, the United States invaded Puerto Rico. They captured the island with little difficulty. -
Spanish surrender The Philippines
The Filipinos wanted freedom from Spain, so when the U.S. attacked the Spanish fleet in the Philippines, They were supported by the citizens. American troops and Filipino rebels worked together to make the Spanish troops surrender. -
Armistice is signed between the U.S. and Spain
The U.S. and Spain agreed to cease-fire after fifteen weeks of fighting. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
The Treaty of Paris was signed after the armistice, ending the war. Many people didn't like it since it was imperialism, which the U.S. wasn't known for.
