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U.S. attempts to purchase Cuba
Diplomates recommended that President Franklin Pierce should buy Cuba from Spain, but Spain refused the offer. Between 1868 and 1878 Cuba rebelled against Spain, and American sympathies went out to the Cuban People. The revolting against Spain failed. But in 1886 the Cuban people would force Spain to abolish slavery, after the emancipation of Cuban slaves, American capitalists would invest millions in Cuban sugar fields. -
Cuba's First War for Independence
Cuba's first war for independence lasted from 1868 to 1878, which is also known as the "Ten Years War". During this time, America remained interested in Cuba and some Americans had sympathy for the people of Cuba. Sadly, the fight for independence in the first war failed. -
Yellow Press
Weyler's actions fueled a war over newspaper circulation that developed between the American tycoons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. To lure readers in Hearst made exaggerated stories by reporters. Stories that consisted of poisoned wells and of children being thrown to the sharks deepened American sympathy for the rebels. -
José Martí led Cuba's Second War for Independence
The second war for independence started in 1895 with the support of Jose Marti. He created a resistance army against the Spanish and used a guerilla campaign that was active during the second war. Jose also led his army to destroy sugar mills and especially American-owned plantations and mills. He was depending on the U.S. intervention to assist his rebel army to free Cuba from the control of Spain. This event was important because the second war for independence led to the Spanish-American War. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
General Valeriano Weyler was sent over to Cuba by Spain because of the Cuban revolt. Weyler was sent to restore order, but instead trapped the rural population of western and central Cuba in concentration camps. Over 300,000 Cubans inhabited these concentration camps where they couldn't support the rebels. Weyler was a major cause in the start of the "Headline Wars", and also a reason of the Spanish-American War. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
The de Lôme letter was written by the Spanish minister to the United States, Enrique Dupuy de Lôme. The letter referred to President McKinley as "weak" and "a bidder for the admiration of the crowd". A Cuban rebel stole this letter and showed it to the New York Journal. When the American public saw this letter, they were infuriated, and the minister resigned. This letter was one of the many factors that led to the United State's invasion. -
Explosion of U.S.S. Maine
Soon after the publication of the de Lome letter the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana's harbor. At the time of its explosion, the Spanish got blamed for its destruction, even though they couldn't prove it. Its explosion led to many headlines and stories that slightly exaggerated what was actually happening. It was important because it led to the United States getting involved in the war. -
U.S. declares war on Spain
On April 11th, President McKinley asked for authority from Congress if the U.S. could use force, which is what Congress agreed upon after a week of debating. On April 20th, the U.S. declares war on Spain. This event was important because it marked the beginning of the Spanish-American War. -
Naval Blockage of Cuba
In the Caribbean, Admiral William T. Sampson effectively sealed off the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago De Cuba. The blockage had successfully prevented Spain from getting more weapons. With no weapons, Spain would be overwhelmed by American forces. This event was crucial because the naval blockade of Cuba led to the U.S. overpowering the Spanish Army by keeping them contained around the coastline of Cuba. -
Attack on Manila Bay
On May 1st, George Dewey gave ships the order to fire on Spanish ships at Manila, the capital of the Philippines. After hours of fighting the U.S. Naval fleet had destroyed every ship in the Spanish fleet. This victory had given the U.S. troops the ability to land in the Philippines. In August, the Spanish troops had surrendered to the United States. This event was critical because the attack on Manila led to the Spanish losing their fleet of ships and surrendering to the U.S. -
U.S. Invades Cuba
The U.S. Invasion of Cuba started on June 22nd, 1898, when the American forces were deployed and started to come together to Santiago. There were 17,000 men in the army along with four African-American regiments and the Rough Riders with Theodore Roosevelt. There was also a volunteer army made of 125,000 Americans. The invasion of Cuba was critical because the U.S. had a strong army and a large fleet of ships, which overcame the Spanish Army and led to them losing their ships and multiple men. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The battle of San Juan Hill took place on July 1st, 1898. The battle was fought near Santiago and Kettle Hill. Of the 17,000 soldiers who fought there, were four African American regiments, the Rough Riders, Leonard Wood, and Theodore Roosevelt himself. After their defeat, the Spanish tried to escape the American blockade of the harbor at Santiago, but to no avail when the U.S. decimated the Spanish fleet. This event was important because it led to the Spanish surrendering to the U.S. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba
Only two days after the battle of San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet attempted to leave Cuba. They had to get past the United States naval blockade outside of Santiago harbor. The Spanish fleet was destroyed by the American Navy in the following battle. Afterward, the U.S. sent soldiers to invade Puerto Rico as well. This event was crucial because the destruction of the Spanish fleet led to a cease-fire agreement in August and the Treaty of Paris in 1898. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
On July 25th of 1898, the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico after they decimated the Spanish fleet in a naval battle days earlier. This event was critical because the U.S. was able to seize control of Puerto Rico after finishing off the Spanish fleet in Cuba. -
Armistice is signed between the U.S. and Spain
On this day, Spain and the U.S. signed an armistice, which ended the fighting in the 15-weeks long war. This event was important because this cease-fire agreement put a stop to the fighting in the Spanish-American War. -
Spanish surrendered the Philippenes
Dewey's victory over the Spanish fleet and the Philippine capital, allowed U.S. troops to land in the Philippines. Dewey had the support of the Filipinos who also wanted freedom from Spain. After 11 months of fighting, in August, Spanish troops in Manila surrendered to the U.S. This event was important because the Spanish surrender in the Philippines later led to the Spanish selling these Asian islands to the U.S. for $20 million. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
Spain and the U.S. met in Paris to work on the Treaty of Paris of 1898 on December 10th, 1898. In this treaty, Spain granted Cuba independence and gave Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S. as well as selling them the Philippines for $20 million. This event was crucial in the history of the U.S. because the Treaty of Paris of 1898 formally ended the Spanish-American War.