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The War for Strategic land
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Ostend Manifesto
This document was written to persuade the United States to purchase Cuba from Spain. Pierre Soule was the driving force behind the American purchase of Cuba. He felt that Cuba could be a vital part of America in the young country's future. -
The Cuban People's small victory
In 1886 during the Cuban war for indepence, the Cuban people forced the government of Spain to abolish slavery in the Cuban colonies. Hearing the news that sugar in Cuba was no longer produced with slave labor, American investors began paying millions of dollars to sugar producers in Cuba. Through this, imported Cuban sugar was able to be sold in America at a cheap price. -
"The Influence of Sea Power Upon History"
In 1890 the book "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History" was published by Admiral Alfred T. Mahan. In this book he describes how historical world powers were able to conquer and take land because of their naval fleet. He also suggested in this book that America have a two ocean navy consisting of modern steel hull battle ships with capable firepower. -
Marti's Rebellion
Jose Marti, a Cuban revolutionary, launched a group of fellow revolutionaries in 1895. They began engaging in guerilla warfare against Spanish troops, often destroying properties Americans invested in. By doing this, Marti hoped to spark American war time interest, by reporting this damage had been done Spanish troops.l -
Yellow Journalists ignite American Tempers
William Randolph Hearst's and Joesph Pulitzer's colorful newspaper articles about the events going on in Cuba angered many American citizens. When the heard of the attroicties these newspapers reported they called for immediate involment in the revolution. This lead congress and the president to consider a declaration of war on Spain. -
The De Lome letter fires up Washington DC
Enrique Dupuy De Lome wrote a letter to President Mckinley effectively calling him weak and a low politician. This caused the president and members of congress to become even more angry with Spain. This helped contribute to American involvment in Cuba. -
Sinking of the U.S.S Maine
On this date, the USS Maine was docked in Havana Harbor. At 21:40 hours a sudden explosion occured inside the ship causing the gunpowder and weaponry onboard to fire off. 266 people perished in the explosion. The US was quick to blame Spain for the accident. One major reason for the US declration of war upon Spain -
Declaration of War on Spain
The American public put pressure on President McKinley to declare war on Spain. On April 11th, 1898 he asked congress to declare war. The motion was passed, and on this date, the Spanish-American War began -
Battle for Manila Bay
Under Adm. Dewey, the American Naval forces snuck up on the Spainish upon nightfall. Battery fire from the shores rained upon American battleships but once they reached the bay, the Spainish quickly surrendered. The Americans lost one man that day and realized that having a modern navy was key in winning wars. -
Puerto Rican Campaign
The strategic position of Puerto Rico for the American forces was a major influence in this event. On July, 25th, 1898, 1,300 ground troops landed on the main island coast of Guanica. The campaign was sucessful, and on August 13th, 1898, American forces occupied Puerto Rico -
Capture of Guam
On this date, Henry Glass landed his forces off shore from Guam. Upon arrival he noticed no Spainish ships were occuping the harbor. Knowing where the Spanish were located on the island, his forces snuck in and took the Spanish in as prisoners of war, effectivley capturing the island -
"Follow me up San Juan Hill!"
Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were pinned down at the bottom of Kettle Hill. All of a sudden, Gatling guns were fired and the brigade took shelter. Realizing that this was their moment, Roosevelt order his troops to charge up the hil after the Gatling ammo was clear. The Rough Riders, under heavy fired, charged up the hill and upon reaching the top, won a small skirmish with the Spanish before taking the hill. This was a major turning point for the war -
The war is over
The Treaty of Paris was signed on the 10th of December, 1898 but was not ratified until this date. It stated that Spain was to give up all rights to Cuba, surrender Puerto Rico and Guam, and sell the Phillippine islands for 20 million dollars. -
Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment was a United States written document amending the constitution that the Cuban government had put into place. It stated that Cuba could not make treaties that might limit indepence or permit a foreign power to control any part of its territory. It also said that the United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuba, the U.S. could buy or lease land on the island for naval bases and that Cuba was not to go into debt. -
Philippine War for Independence
After the Spanish American war was called to an end by the treaty of Paris, the Philippine islands tried to fight for their indepence agains the USA. The Philippines did not want to be annexed by the United States after gaining freedom from Spain, so Philippine revoltionaries organized an attack against American troops stationed on the island. The war lasted until the Philippine surrender on this date
