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Don Dupuy de Lôme, the Spanish ambassador wrote a personal letter in which he expressed his personal views on Cuba and the diplomacy of the US president. This further strained Spain and the US' relationship.
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U.S. commander, George Dewey, was given orders to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines incase the U.S. government declare war on Spain. Dewey's squadron then easily destroyed the Spanish ships which led to the aquisition of the Philippines.
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The battleship USS Maine entered Havana Harbor on to aid or evacuate U.S. citizens incase fights over Spanish independence led to violence. An explosion sunk the ship and although the cause is not clear America was sure it was an attack from Spain.
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President William McKinley asks Congress to declare war on Spain. The constant conflicts and issues with Spain have caused a significant amount of tension with the U.S. which lead to this declaration of war.
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General William Shafter ordered an attack on the village of El Caney and San Juan Hill with the help of Roosevelt's Rough Riders. However, the outnumbered Spanish defenders put up a fight and fought up to 10 times their ratio.
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In France, the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the United States, the Philippines was bought for $20 million, and Cuba became a U.S. protectorate.