-
Cuba struggling for independence
Cuba was struggling to gain independence from Spain.This caught the eye of Americans because it was a very economically and politically unstable area close to the U.S.. The tension between the U.S. and Spain continued growing. -
USS Maine explosion
The USS Maine blew up in the Havana Harbor and there was no absolute cause. After this people began to call for the U.S. to intervene in the war between Cuba and Spain. -
Declaration of War
Spain announced an armistice to grant Cuba limited ability to self-govern themselves. The U.S. shortly issued resolutions that declared Cuba’s right to have independence and demanded that Spain withdrawal their army from the island. Spain didn’t like that and declared war on the U.S. April 24th, and the U.S. followed by declaring war on April 25th. -
The Battle of Manila Bay
Commodore George Dewey led a U.S. naval squadron into Manila Bay in the Philippines. He defeated the Spanish fleet in 2 hours only. This was the first battle of the Spanish-American War. -
U.S. Troops landed in Cuba
The U.S. troops landed at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and other troops, including the Rough Riders, landed by the harbor city of Santiago. -
The Battle of San Juan Heights
The U.S. troops fought their way to Santiago’s outer defenses and General William Shafter ordered them to attack El Caney and San Juan Hill. The troops first tried to capture El Caney, but it took longer than expected so the other troops moved on to San Juan Hill. Soon San Juan Hill was taken and then the Rough Riders took Kettle hill. This was a US victory. -
The Battle of Santiago
Admiral Pascual Cervera’s fleet was in the Santiago harbor and was waiting for the moment to escape. On July 3rd, he decided to move, but was immediately shut down by the US and all his ships sunk or burned. -
Spanish Surrender
The Spanish surrendered at Santiago. -
Cease Fire
French Ambassador, Jules Cambon, came to Washington to discuss the peace terms and a cease-fire was signed on August 12th. -
Treaty of Paris
The US and Spanish governments signed the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris forced Spain to give Guam and Puerto Rico to the U.S. and sold the Philippines to the US for 20 million dollars. This marked the official end of the Spanish-American War.
