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U.S. Attempt to Purchase Cuba
The United States attempted to purchase Cuba in 1854. This came after recommendations from diplomats to President Franklin Pierce. Spain responded to this by saying that they would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean. -
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Spanish American War
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Cuba's First War for Independence
The Cuban people's growing need for reform soon gave way for a revolution. By 1869, the Cuban's had wrote a new constitution abolishing slavery and annexing the country to the U.S.. Although not officially recognized by the U.S., Cubans were active in the country raising money and spreading pro-Cuban propaganda. The revolution's fall would be their inability to organize around a single goal, and in 1878, they signed a pact with Spain which officially ended the war. -
Jose Marti Led Cuba's Second War for Independence
Exiled in New York, the Cuban Journalist Jose Marti launched a revolution in 1895. Marti organized resistance against Spain, destroying American owned property. His goal was to provoke U.S. intervention to help them achieve liberty from Spain. He died fighting in 1895. -
Valeriano Weyler Was Sent to Cuba by Spain
In response to Cuba's revolt against Spain, Spain sent general Valeriano Weyler to restore order. Weyler's goal was to attempt to crush the rebellion by herding them into barbed wire concentration camps. Civilians were not able to give aid to the rebels in these camps. Thousands died inside. -
Yellow Journalism Shapes Opinion
Fueled by the actions of General Weyler in Cuba, two newspaper tycoons began to use a new method of writing called yellow journalism to fuel war fever. These two newspapers, the New York Journal and the New York World, used stories along the lines of poison wells and feeding children to the sharks to fan war fever. -
Publication of the de Lôme Letter
The sympathy Americans had for the liberation of Cuba were growing with each days headlines. In February of 1898, The New York Journal released a private letter written by the Spanish Minister to the U.S.. The letter called President McKinley weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd. Although the Spanish government apologized, American's were angered over the insults to their president -
Explosion of the U.S.S Maine
On the night of February 15th, 1898, the U.S.S Maine exploded at a Havana Harbor, killing hundreds of Americans. This was the main event that sparked the Spanish American war due to American outrage towards Spain. Although America had assumed that Spain had sunk the ship, later evidence showed the explosion to have most likely been caused from a different source (sunken mine, a journalist that wanted war, etc.). -
U.S. Declares War on Spain
Months of tension between the two nations had finally developed into war. Lead on by the destruction of the U.S.S Maine, America's feelings of war towards Cuba had began to grow deeper. On April 11th, President McKinley asked congress for permission to use military force against Cuba, and an official declaration of war would come out 14 days later. -
U.S. Attack on Manila Bay
Under Commodore Dewey, the United States was able to defeat Spanish troops at Manila Bay on May 1st, 1899. Appointed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1897, he prepared his Asiatic Squadron for deployment. When that day finally came, Dewey and his men were able to easily defeat the Spanish and mark one of the most significant events of the Spanish American War. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
Fresh off of the destruction of the Spanish fleet and the American victory, the United States were able to capture Puerto Rico. -
U.S. Invades Cuba
The United States first invaded Cuba in June of 1898. After stationing 25,000 men in Tampa for months, the men were finally deployed into Cuba. Tampa was chosen for its close proximity to Cuba. its railroads, and a deep bay. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
July 1st would mark the most significant land victory achieved by the United States in the Spanish-American War. San Juan Hill was a strategically important place for the war. This specific battle, as well as Kettle Hill, also brought many stories of Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders to American headlines. The victory at San Juan Hill was followed by the Spanish surrender of Santiago. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
2 days after the defeat of the Spanish at San Juan Hill, their fleet tried to escape the American naval blockade at Santiago harbor. The naval battle that ensued ended in the destruction of the Spanish fleet, and led to the invasion of Puerto Rico. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba
After the Spanish tried to escape from the naval blockade in Santiago, they were met with retaliation. The result was the destruction of the entire Spanish fleet. -
Armistice is Signed Between U.S. and Spain
Prior to the Treaty of Paris, the two countries first signed a cease-fire agreement in August. This armistice followed only 15 weeks of actual fighting. -
Treaty of Paris (1898)
After the armistice was signed between Spain and the U.S., the two countries met in December in Paris to discuss a treaty. Spain agreed to free Cuba, as well as turn over Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States. They also sold the Philippines to the United States for 20 million dollars. Many arguments were centered on if the U.S. had the right to annex the Philippines, but the main focus was on imperialism. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
The Philippines first surrendered to the United States after the attack on Manila Bay. After the end of the war, the United States bought the Philippines through the Treaty of Paris. With this brought a lot of debate over whether or not the U.S. had the right to do this, with the main focus being on imperialism.
