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The United States had been interested in buying Cuba for a long time. When they asked to buy it, the Spanish would not accept the offer. America was still longing to buy the land. American Capitalists invested money into large chunks of sugar cane plantations hoping to increase the chance of the purchase. -
Maximo Gomez was the leader of Cuba's first war for independence. The war didn't seem successful, but it did end up leading to the end of Cuban slavery. -
José Martí was a Cuban journalist and was a big influence on Cuba's 2nd war for independence. Martí wasn't skilled on the battlefield and died very early. Despite his death, he still had a heavy influence and motivation in the second war. -
Before America could interfere with Cuba's second war for independence, Valerino Weyler was sent to Cuba to deal with it. He didn't want Cuban citizens to side with America, so he put them all into concentration camps to prevent it.
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The yellow press over-exaggerated events that took place in the world to inform citizens. They over-exaggerated events that took place during the Cuban revolution and tried to rile people up for war. -
Enrique Dupuy wrote the De Lome letter and the New York Times published it. A rebel from Cuba then stole it and gave it to a different American article company. -
On February 15th, 1898, the USS Maine exploded. Nearly 260 men were killed. America instantly pointed fingers at the Spanish, and rewards for the Spanish citizens were up to $50,000 dollars.
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Americans were not going to allow the explosion of the USS Maine to pass over their heads. On April 11, former President McKinley questioned Congress, hoping to be able to declare with Spain. Eventually, on April 20th, Congress agreed and the US declared war. -
The United States and Spain met in Paris to figure out a Treaty. When the treaty was signed, Cuba gained independence and the US earned the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. -
The US Navy destroyed the Spanish fleet and the foundation of the Philippines. It helped to lead to the final U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War. -
Admiral William T. Sampson put a naval blockade around Cuba. The Spanish ships had 30 days to be away or search. After 30 days, they could be searched at any time. This is important because we took away the influence of the Spanish navy in the Caribbean. -
The Battle of San Juan Hill, or the Battle for the San Juan Heights, was one of the largest battles of the Spanish American War fought between an American force. The rough riders and TR fought in this battle. This is important because it showed the courage of our people in the war. -
Over 2,000 Spanish men were killed in the Spanish Fleet. When the United States destroyed the Spanish fleet, it showed our power and was the victory in the Spanish-American war. -
When America went to try to gain control of Puerto Rico, there was no military defense. It was basically a free land grab. The US invaded the land and claimed it as their own. -
The armistice was the agreement to end the Spanish-American war and to a cease-fire agreement. America had finally won the war. 3,000 Americans died throughout events in the war, but the majority of the deaths were caused by illnesses such as yellow fever. -
The American victory in the Manila Philippines forced the Spanish to surrender the Philippines to the Americans. The US had succeeded in the access to Spanish land. -
The treaty of Paris had a lot of debate over whether or not America could gain access to the Philippines. When the Senate approved the Treaty of Paris, the US gained access to Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
