-
US Attempts to Purchase Cuba
America had had an interest in Cuba for a while since it was only 90 miles south of Florida. Diplomats recommended to the President that he buy Cuba from Spain but the Spanish wouldn't have it. It's important because it's eventually what we go to war for. -
Cuba's First War for Independence
Cuban's rebelled against Spain. It was unsuccessful but they eventually got Spain to abolish slavery. It is important because it shows that Cuba did not want to be a part of or under the control of the Spanish. -
Yellow Press Began to Shape American Opinion with Respect to Cuba's Civil war
William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer wrote exaggerated accounts of Weyler's camps. This is important because it fueled American's with the need to intervene between Cuba and Spain when it really wasn't as bad as they were saying. -
Valeriano Weyler is Sent to Cuba by Spain
Weyler was sent by the Spanish to Cuba to restore order and end the revolt. In order to do this, he set of barbed wire concentration camps and withheld the people so they couldn't participate in the rebellion. This is important because it gives Cuba another good reason and push to want to be free from Spain. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
A letter was leaked to the press that De Lome, the Spanish minister, had written insulting McKinley, the US president. De Lome apologized and eventually resigned but this is important because it was another thing that made Americans angry, fueling the war. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
The USS Maine was sent to Cuba to retrieve Americans in danger of the crossfire. Only days after the publication of the De Lome letter, the ship exploded and 260 men were killed. This is important because America was outraged and was probably the main fuel for the war. -
Jose Marti leads Cuba's Second War for Independence
Marti led Cuban's in the second war against Spain. They went about it by destroying land, especially American owned land in hopes of getting America to intervene so they could achieve a free Cuba. This is important because it's just another added factor for America to go to war. Not only is there reason to, but Cuba wants them to. -
US Declares War on Spain
After the USS Maine exploded, America was so mad that they declared war even though Spain was agreeing to everything they asked for. This is important because it is the start of the Spanish-American War. -
US Attack on Manila Bay
George Dewey gave American fleet permission to open fire in Manila, the Philippines capital. They destroyed all of their ships giving US troops a place to land in the Philippines. This is important because it is one of the first small victories for the US in the war. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
Admiral William T. Sampson managed to lock up Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago Cuba. It is important because it was the first sign of dominance from the US over the Spanish. -
US Invades Cuba- Battle of San Juan Hill
A prior victory on Kettle Hill cleared the way for a second infantry attack on San Juan Hill. It is important because San Juan hill was important and very valuable to the Spanish in the war. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba
After the battle on San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet tried to escape the American blockade. A naval battle broke out on the Cuban Coast and resulted in the destruction of the Spanish fleet. This is important because it's another added win for the US in the war and aids them in winning future battles. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
After destroying Spanish fleet, the US turned right around and invaded Puerto Rico on July 25. Fighting until agreeing to a cease-fire with Spain on August 12. It is important because America ended up winning and gaining control over Puerto Rico -
Armistice is Signed Between the US and Spain
US and Spain signed a cease-fire agreement only 15 weeks after the war started. It's important because it was the end of the war. -
Treaty of Paris in 1898
US and Spain met in Paris to agree on a treaty. It was important because the US got the Guam Islands and Puerto Rico, Spain freed Cuba, and the US bought the Philippians for 20 million. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
In The Treaty of Paris, Spain agreed to sell the Philippines to the US for 20 million. This is important because the US gained control over a lot of land and won what they had been fighting for.
