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Cuban Revolt
Cuba had been under the rule of Spain for some time now. The Spanish government was corrupt and inefficient, angering the Cuban people. For this reason, Cuban Nationalists revolted against Spain. This started the fight in Cuba. -
General Weyler
Spanish General Valeriano "Butcher" Weyler was sent to Cuba to stop the rebellion. He moved 300,000 Cubans from central and western Cuba into concentration camps. Thousands died in these camps. He was recalled to Spain in 1897. -
De Lome Letter
Written by Enrique Dupuy de Lme, this letter critizied President McKinley. Due to yellow journalism the U.S. public became outraged. -
U.S.S. Maine Explosion
The U.S.S. Maine was an American warship sent to Cuba to patrol the water. On Feb. 15, 1898 it exploded. The cause is still undetermined but 260 crew died in the explosion. This was the last reason that the U.S. needed to go to war with Spain. It also fueled hate for Spain in the U.S. -
Approval of War
With the yellow press feeding them, the public demanded war. McKinley disagreed but gave in on April 11, 1898. He sent word to Congress giving his support for a declaration of war on Spain. -
Declaration of War
On April 24, 1898 Spain declared war on the U.S. A day later, the U.S. declared war on Spain. The public was ecstatic about going to war. The U.S. claimed that by going to war with Spain, they only wanted to liberate Cuba. They did not want to annex Cuba into the U.S. -
Rough Riders
The Rough Riders was a volunteer calvalry which enlisted cowboys and college men. It was led by Theodore Roosevelt under the command of Leonard Wood.
The Battle of San Juan Hill has become the most famous battle of the Spanish-American War. It was also one of the greatest victory of the Rough Riders. Roosevelt lead the daring charge up Kettle Hill, near San Juan Hill. His victory made him famous, a national hero, and later President of the United States. -
**Treaty of Paris**
Diplomats from the U.S. and Spain met in Paris to discuss the terms of the peace agreement that would end the war. They sign an armistice that made a ceasefire of sixteen weeks. The treaty gave Cuba its independence, the U.S. Puerto Rico and Guam, and Spain $20 million. Without this treaty, the war would most likely not have ended peacefully. Also, it might have continued for a while longer. All in all, this event played a very important role in ending the war. -
Platt Amendment
This amendment stated the terms that would end the U.S. military occupation in Cuba and leave the island and its government to Cuba. The terms were that Cuba was not allowed to make treaties that limits its independence or permits foreign control. The U.S. reserves the right to intervene at any time in Cuban affairs and also is able to retain a military base in Cuba. This base in Guantanamo Bay. Finally, Cuba is not allowed to go into debt. After a little struggle, Cuba agreed. -
Cuban Independence
It was agreed in 1902 that the treaties that held the Platt Amendment in place would be discarded. On May 20, 1902 Cuba gained formal independence.
