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America's first attempt into pursuing interests in Cuban'
In 1854 President Franklin Pierce was recommended by diplomats to try and buy Cuba from the Spanish. Once the Spanish got wind of the offer they responded by saying they, "Would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean." However American interests in Cuba continued. -
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Development of the Spanish-American War
The chronological order of the events leading up to the Spanish-American War -
Cuba's first revolution against Spain
Cuban's had finally had enough of the Spanish controlling them and had a revolution that lasted 10 years Their attempt, however, was unsuccessful at earning them freedom from the Spanish Emprie During this time America was nearing the end of a civil war so they could not focus on the revolution in Cuba. -
Abolishment of Slavery in Cuba
Finally, Spain passes an anti-slavery act ending slavery in Cuba. Now that slavery was abolished, US investors started creating and investing in Sugar farms and mills in Cuba. -
Gómez Destroying American Properties
Máximo Gómez started a torch and burn operation against American property. His intention was to get the US involved in the war for "Cuba Libre," a free Cuba. His plan went well, many American landowners in Cuba were upset about their property destroyed and wanted America to intervene, -
Cuba's second fight for independence
As tensions against the Spanish in Cuba finally boiled over into another revolution a Cuban poet/journalist, José Martí, organized the revolution into a grueling guerrilla campaign. José enlisted the help of the commander of the first revolution, Máximo Gómez. This revolution however would see José bring everyone from the different classes of society together to rise up. However, within the first few weeks of fighting, José had died. -
Spain sends Weyler
Spain sent their best General, Weyler to end the conflict quickly. Weyler quickly started herding the populace into designated no-fire zones to distinguish civilians from the enemy. conditions in these safe zones however quickly turned concentration camp-like. Roughly 300,000 Cubans endured these harsh conditions. -
The leaking of the De Lôme letter
A note from the Spanish minister to the US was leaked by the press. Cuban Rebels had stolen the letter and offered it to the press. The De Lôme letter called McKinley "Weak," and, "A bidder for the admiration of the crowd." This enraged the public and fueled wartime efforts. The Spanish government would later apologize for the letter and the minister resigned. -
The Maine Explodes
A few days after the publication of the De Lôme letter, the U.S.S Maine blew up in Havana harbor. The Maine was sent there early in '98 more than 260 American men had lost their lives. no one really knew how the Maine blew up, but American newspapers claimed that the Spanish were responsible for it. America was now on the verge of war. -
War erupts
The sinking of the Maine was the tipping point for the cry of war. The US government sent concessions to the Spanish. the Spanish agreed to all concessions, but with little effect. McKinley asked Congress for authority to declare war. The Spanish government caught wind of this and declared war, followed shortly thereafter by a US declaration of war. -
The unexpected first battle
When Spain and America went to war, everyone thought that the first battle would take place in Cuba. However, before the war erupted Commodore Dewey was stationed around the Phillippines waiting to attack the Spanish fleet stationed at Manila bay. Finally, Dewey was ordered to attack. The fleet sailed through the night, by morning they had the harbor surrounded. The Spanish fleet was defeated after a few hours, with few casualties on the US side. This battle destroyed Spanish Naval capabilities -
Conflict in Cuba
The first "battle" in the Caribbean was Admiral Sampson sealing the last remanents of the Spanish fleet in Santiago harbor. With the news of Dewey's decisive victory in the Philippines, American morale was at an all-time high. 125,000 young Americans looking for an adventure signed up to fight. America's Army was well unprepared for the fighting in Cuba. Of the 125,000 volunteers, only 17,000 were able to be transported to Cuba. -
Signing of the Armistice
The United States and Spain finally signed a cease-fire agreement. Ending what secretary of state John Hay called a "Splendid little war." The actual fighting of the war lasted roughly 15 weeks. -
Treaty of Paris
At the peace talks, Spain freed Cuba and turned over the islands of Guam in the Pacific and Puerto Rico in the West Indies to the United States. Spain also sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million. The United States debated whether it was right of them to annex the Philippines. Finally, President McKinley decided it was the "Right thing to educate and Christianize them. Let it be known that the Filipinos have been Christianized for centuries. -
Battle for San Juan Hill
During the first part of the battle, 2 African American regiments, the ninth and tenth cavalry, and the rough riders led a dramatic charge uphill on nearby Kettle Hill. because of their victory, the strategically important San Juan Hill was cleared for an Infantry attack.