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U.S. attempt to purchase Cuba
Because of Cuba's ability to grow sugar, which was a resource that was in higher demand at the time, the United States was looking to purchase Cuba from Spain to settle there and create sugar plantations. Franklin Pierce was the President at the time. -
Cuba's first war for independence
Cuba's first attempt at Independence from Spain was a failure even after 10 years of fighting the Spanish. -
The Yellow Press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba's Civil War
Because of the Independence War going on in Cuba, newspapers in America were publishing stories that over-exaggerated the hardships of the Cuban rebels, causing Americans to have more sympathy for them. -
José Marti led Cuba's second war for Independence
Because of the first failed attempt at Independence from Spain, José Marti chose to lead a second rebellion against the Spanish. -
The Yellow Press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba's Civil War
More stories of concentration camps in Cuba became more common throughout newspapers, and this caused even more sympathy throughout the American people's opinions, and talk of war to free Cuba was a common theme of topic. It would only increase over time. -
Publication of the De Lôme Letter
A letter that was written by the Spanish minister to the United States got into the hands of a Cuban rebel and was sent to the United States. It was published throughout many newspapers and changed many people's feelings toward Spain even more. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
The USS Maine was sent to Cuba to make an attempt to intimidate the Spanish so that they would be aware of their awareness of everything that was happening in Cuba. Days after arriving in Cuba, however, the USS Maine blew up for no apparent reason, but many believed that the Spanish were to blame. This event cause McKinley to ask Congress to send troops down to Cuba and to be a part of the war. -
U.S. Declares war on Spain
On April 11, McKinley asked Congress for authority to use force against Spain. After a week of debate, Congress agreed, and on April 20 the United States declared war -
The U.S. invades Cuba
Fleets were sent to Cuba as soon as the word was given that the U.S. would be a part of this war. William Sampson formed a blockade in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. -
Destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba
Because of their almost inevitable failure, the Spanish made an attempt to flee Cuba through the Santiago harbor. -
U.S. attack of Manila Bay
The U.S. surprised Spain by attacking Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It was assumed that the U.S. would attack Cuba first. Commodore George Dewey gave the command to open fire on
the Spanish fleet at Manila on the morning of May 1st. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The first part of the battle, on nearby Kettle Hill, featured a dramatic uphill charge by the Rough Riders and two African-American regiments, the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries. Their victory cleared the way for an infantry attack on San Juan Hill -
Capture of Puerto Rico
The Spanish, in an attempt to flee the Caribbean, escaped to Puerto Rico, where the U.S. eventually captured Puerto Rico as well. -
Armistice signed between the U.S. and Spain
The "splendid little war" as referred to by John Hay, in total lasted about fifteen weeks, a cease-fire was agreed to by both sides. -
Spanish surrender the Philippines
The Filipino people, like the Cubans, hoped for freedom from the Spanish. Filipinos and Dewey's army fought together to eventually kick the Spanish fleets out of the Philipines. -
Naval blockade of Cuba
In the Caribbean, hostilities began with a naval blockade of Cuba. Admiral William T. Sampson effectively sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba -
Treaty of Paris (1898)
The United
States and Spain signed an
armistice, a cease-fire agreement that ended the war.