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Us attempts to purchase Cuba
In 1854, The United States gained interest in Cuba because of its sugar plantations and the easy transportation to get it to the US. The US wanted to claim Cuba as their land to receive more of their sugar imports. This was important because it showed the US's first attempt of interest in Spanish land. -
Cuba's first war of independence
In 1868, Cubans rebelled against Spain; which lasted for 10 years until 1878. Their attempts for independence were unsuccessful but Cubans were able to abolish slavery in 1868. It was important because Cuba went against Spain’s rules. -
Jose Marti led Cuba's second war for independence
In 1895 Jose Marti organized Cuban resistance against Spain by destroying maily US property like sugar plants. He was hoping to provoke the US into helping Cuba become their own country. This was important because it introduced a new idea of fighting for other countries in the US. Most of the population had to choose between fighting or settling. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
In 1896, Spain sent General Valeriano Weyler to Cuba to reinforce the order. In order to abolish the rebellion, Weyler established concentration camps. Thousands of the 300,000 Cubans that filled these camps died from hunger and disease. This was important because Spain was trying to get the Cubans to listen to them again. -
The Yellow Press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba's Civil War
Yellow Journalism was used to attract readers to the papers using fake and exaggerated headlines and stories. For example, children being thrown to the sharks or poisoned wells. Yellow Journalism was important because they started to have war fever and write about Cuba which made the Americans public opinion draw more attention to Cuba. -
Us invades Cuba
In 1898, America invaded Cuba to protect their interests and most Americans wanted to get revenge on the attack of the USS Maine. This was important to America because they continued to act on war they declared to fight the Spanish army. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
This letter criticized president Mckinly and was leaked and given to the newspaper. The Spanish government apologized in embarrassment but some citizens were still upset. This was important because it motivated the US to get involved. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
The US was enraged by the De Lome letter, and president McKinley ordered that the US citizens in Cuba return to the US for safety. The ship with the men was bombed in the Hanava harbor. More than 260 men were killed. This was important to America because it made it personal for the US to get involved. -
U.S. declares war on Spain
After the explosion, the US declared war on Spain because of the USS Maine attack. This was important because it was the first act the US put into action in the war. -
Naval blockade of Cuba
In the Caribbean, hostilities began with a naval blockade of Cuba which kept the Spanish from going to the harbor of Santiago in Cuba. This was important because they thought of it as a tool for war, it also prevented them from going north to get weapons in the industrialized north. -
U.S. attack on Manila Bay
The US forces invaded the Philippines, where Commodore George Dewey ordered for the US to fire at the Philippine capital, Manila. After a few hours, the US had destroyed all of Spain’s ships. The Filipinos, like the Cubans, also wanted freedom from Spain and agreed with Dewey’s actions. The US forces eventually joined with Filipino rebels. The attack on Manila Bay was important because they were able to overcome the Spanish forces and gained support from the Filipinos. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
This was the most famous battle of Cuba, it took place on a nearby kettle hill. This featured a dramatic uphill that involved the Rough Riders and the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries. After the battle, Roosevelt and his units only played a minor role of the victory but were titled the heroes of San Juan Hill. This was important because it led to the United States blockade being broken, which led to Spanish surrender and the end of the Spanish-American War. -
Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba
After the American fleet in the Pacific, Commander Dewy commanded the open fire on the Spanish fleet at Manilla. This is important because after destroying all of the spanish ships there, the victory allowed Americans to land in the philippines. -
Armistice is signed between the U.S. and Spain
An agreement signed by America and Spain to end active conflict (a cease-fire agreement). This was important because it stopped the war right before the Treaty of Paris was signed. -
Spanish surrender the Philippines
In 1898, Spain surrendered their land of the Philippines to the US. because of America's dominance of the war. This was important because the US was able get Spain to surrender -
Capture of Puerto Rico
In 1898, the US captured Puerto Rico by sending 16,000 troops to Puerto Rico at Guanica to free them from the rules of Spain and take over. This was important because America was able to claim the land from Spain and get an advantage in the war. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
In 1898, the US and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris, which was a ceasefire agreement on august 12th, and agreed on it and met in person on December 10th. In the meeting, Spain freed Cuba, and gave some of the island lands they had over to the US. This was important because it ended the war, and allowed America to build up their empire in winning a war.