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U.S. attempts to buy Cuba
On October 18, 1854, diplomats recommended to President Franklin Pierce that the United States buy Cuba from Spain. The Spanish responded by saying they would rather see Cuba be sunk in the ocean. American Interest in Cuba continued anyway. The Cubans rebelled against Spain between 1868 and 1878. The revolt against Spain was not successful but in 1886 the Cuban people did force Spain to abolish slavery. -
Cuba’s first war for independence
Cuba's first war for independence was not very successful but forcing Spain to abolish slavery was successful. It took place on October 10, 1868. Plus American capitalists got millions of dollars in large sugar cane plantations on the island. -
Jose Marti led Cuba’s Second War for Independence
Jose Marti was a Cuban poet and journalist in New York who led the Second War of Independence. He launched a revolution on Feb 24, 1895. Marti organized Cuban resistance against Spain using a campaign called the guerrilla campaign and destroyed property (Sugar mills and plantations). Marti provoked the U.S intervention for a free Cuba, or "Cuba Libre!" -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by the Spanish government
On Feb 10, 1896, Weyler was sent to Cuba by the Spanish gov. He was a General, and so they thought he would be a good person to send. Weyler’s job was to restore order in Cuba. He decided to stop the rebellion by forcing the population of central and western Cuba into concentration camps. They were barbed wire fenced in and many people died of sickness and or starvation. There were an estimated 300,000 people in these concentration camps. Weyler thought this would be a good solution. -
The Yellow Press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba’s Civil War
William Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were Newspaper tycoons in the 1800s. In February 1896, they started to write about Valeriano Weyler and the actions he was taking in Cuba. They both exaggerated what was happening a lot. They said things about poisoned wells and throwing babies to sharks. They did this to lure readers in and it worked. The people read their articles, and this caused them to sympathize with Cuba, and changed a lot of emotions and feelings toward Cuba and Spain. -
Publication of the De LÔme letter
Sympathy for Cuba grew and we pushed for war. McKinley wanted to do anything in his power to get keep away from a war. He didn’t want a war in America. He tried other ways. Spain recalled Weyler, improved the concentration camps, and even offered Cuba limited self-gov. In February 1898, a letter by Enrique de LÔme was published in the newspapers. This letter insulted President McKinley. They said he wasn’t helping Cuba. The Spanish government apologized and Enrique resigned. -
The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine
Only a few days after the publication of the letter, something happened that caused America to be very angry with Spain. Early in 1898, McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine, which was a very nice new ship for America, to bring American citizens in Cuba back to America and out of the danger. On February 15, 1898, the ship was blown up in the harbor of Havana. Over 260 American men were killed in the explosion. No one really knew why it blew up, but it was later believed that the Spanish blew it up. -
U.S. declares war on Spain
On April 20, 1898, The U.S. declared war on Spain. On April 9th, the Spanish government agreed to almost everything that the United States had demanded. This included a six-month cease-fire. Even though Spain cooperated with the cease-fire, Americans wanted war, and eventually, McKinley cracked and asked Congress for permission to use force against Spain. This is what lead to the events of April 20th. -
Naval blockade of Cuba
April 22, 1898, in the Caribbean, antagonists began with a naval blockade of Cuba. Admiral Sampson sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago. Dewey's victory at Manilla Bay had shown the superiority of the U.S and their naval forces. The army had maintained a small, inexperienced volunteer force. 125,000 Americans volunteered to fight The soldiers that needed training were sent to training camps. There weren't enough guns to go around. Troops were given wool uniforms for protection. -
U.S. attack on Manila Bay
It took place May 1, 1898, and was orchestrated by The American Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey. The U.S. destroyed the Spanish Pacific Squadron under Contraalmirante Patricio Montojo. Spanish losses were estimated at more than 370 troops, while American casualties were fewer than 10. It cleared the way for U.S. occupation of Manila Bay. -
Spanish surrender the Philippines
After the battle at Manila Bay, The Philippines agreed to assist in the war against Spain and on June 12, 1898, they declared independence. -
Battle for San Juan Hill
The most famous land battle took place in Cuba near Santiago on July 1, 1898. It featured an uphill charge by the Rough Riders and two African- American regiments. Although Roosevelt and his units played only a minor role in the second victory, newspapers declared him the hero of San Juan Hill. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba (Battle of Santiago de Cuba)
It started July 3, 1898, when American ships cornered Spanish ships in the Santiago harbor and waited until they tried to break out and then destroyed their ships. The Spanish had 474 dead or wounded, 1,800 captured, all 6 ships lost, and the U.S. had 1 dead, 1 wounded, no ships lost of 8. -
U.S. invades Cuba
On July 3, 1898, An American army of regular troops and volunteer, including the rough rider invaded on the coast east of Santiago and slowly advanced on the city, until it surrendered. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
Although the U.S. troops invaded Cuba on July 15th, the U.S. secured Puerto Rico in August 1898, there was little resistance, the U.S. only lost 7 people. After signing the armistice with Spain the U.S. put their flags all over Puerto Rico. -
Armistice is signed between the U.S. and Spain
On August 12, 1898, there was an armistice signed between the United States and Spain. This was a cease-fire agreement ending what was called “a splendid little war”. The fighting of the war lasted only 15 weeks. This is an incredibly important event because it marks the end of the Spanish American War. It marks the end of our fighting with Spain. -
Treaty of Paris 1898
On Dec. 10, 1898, Spain and The United States signed a treaty ending the Spanish-American War in Paris. The U.S. got Cuba, Puerto Rico, and one of the Mariana Islands. The U.S. had to pay Spain $20 Million for destruction in the Philippines, but Spain had to assume the liability for the Cuban debt, estimated at $400 million.
