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U.S. attempt to purchase Cuba
The United States held an interest in Cuba due to the distance from the U.S. (90 miles) and the possible opportunities. The Spanish made it very clear that they didn't want to sell their land to the United States. The States' interest only grew when the Cubans rebelled against Spain and American capitalists invested in sugar plantations. -
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Spanish American War
In 1898, the United States went to war to help Cuba win its independence from Spain. The fight started after the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana harbor. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. Spain lost its control over the remains of its overseas empire: Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines Islands, Guam, and other islands. -
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Cuba's First War for Independence
When Cuba declared war on Spain, American sympathies went out to the Cuban people. They were unsuccessful, however, they got the Spanish to abolish slavery in Cuba. This allowed Americans to invest in sugar plantations because U.S. capitalists didn't want to be accused of slavery. -
Jose Marti led Cuba's second war for independence
Jose Marti was a Cuban poet and journalist. He launched Cuba's second war for independence. He used a campaign that destroyed properties, mainly American-owned sugar mills, and plantations, in order to provoke the United States. This caused a split in the United States with many supporting both sides of the argument of if we should intervene or not. -
The Yellow Press began to shape American public opinion with respect to Cuba's Civil War
The goal of yellow journalism was to interest the reader. Hearst’s New York Journal and Pulitzer’s New York World printed exaggerated articles by reporters like James Creelman. Some of the stories were of poisoned wells and of children being thrown to the sharks grew America's care for the rebels. This type of journalism exaggerates the news to interest readers. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
Spain sent Valerino Weyler to restore order in Cuba. The way he did this was to create concentration camps for the civilians so that they couldn't aid the rebels. The conditions were terrible and thousands of civilians died due to these conditions in the concentration camps. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
When a Cuban Rebel stole a private letter wrote by De Lome to the US President, it was seen as a giant attack, criticizing the President. De Lome later resigned as ambassador, and the US citizens were outraged. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
American resentment towards Spain increased after the publication of the De Lome letter. The States sent the USS Maine down to Cuba to bring home American citizens that are in danger and to protect our property in Cuba. On the way, the ship blew up in the harbor of Havanna, and many men were killed in the event. Later, the Spanish were blamed for the explosion and this did nothing but increase the hate toward Spain. There was even a bounty for anyone who could find the suspected Spanish men. -
Naval blockade of Cuba
The Spanish were looking to increase their power and control over Cuba. They successfully formed a blockade of naval ships because the navy was the most powerful part of many armies all over the world. They were overrun by the U.S. forces invading Cuba and were destroyed quickly by the increased power of the U.S. Navy. -
U.S. Declares War on Spain
Public opinion in the United States favored war with Spain, and after Congress debated on the consequences and effects of war, the United States voted to declare war on Spain. -
Battle of Manila Bay
This battle occurred in the Philippines. George Dewey gave the order to his men to open fire on the Spanish fleet. They quickly destroyed every Spanish ship which allowed the U.S. troops to land in the Phillippines. Dewey also had support from the Filipinos because they also wanted freedom from Spain. -
The U.S. invades Cuba
17,000 U.S. Soldiers land in the port city of Santiago. Included in these men were 4 regiments of African-American soldiers, and the Rough Riders, who were volunteers led by future president Theodore Roosevelt. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
A battle in Santiago Cuba, led by the rough riders, led the way for the battle of San Juan Hill. This is a strategically important place that the Americans want. They attacked with their infantry units and came victorious. This ended in the Spanish retreating and gave the States a big opportunity to get the upper hand in the war. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba
The Spanish successfully formed a Blockade in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. The battle in Manila Bay showed how the United States had a lot of superiority over the Spanish. The U.S. started a ground attack and later after several victories on ground attacks, the Spanish fleet tried to retreat but got defeated by the U.S. -
Invasion of Puerto Rico
After the Battle of San Juan Hill, the Spanish were trying to flee, and after the destruction of the fleet, the US invaded Puerto Rico. This showed off their power to the rest of the world that they have a strong military and are growing in land. -
Spain and U.S. Armistice
After only 15 weeks of fighting, the U.S. and Spain agree to a cease-fire. This led to the States and the Spanish meeting up later on and signing the treaty of Paris. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
When the U.S. landed on Filipino land, they had a great advantage over the Spanish. And since the U.S. had support from the Filipinos, they easily outnumbered and overwhelmed them. A few months later, the Spanish surrendered their land because they were fighting an unwinnable war. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
Spain and the U.S. met in Paris to sign a treaty ending the war. The treaty included the independence of Cuba, and giving the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the U.S.
