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U.S. Attempt to Purchase Cuba
The United States has always been interested in Cuba. Diplomats recommended to President Franklin Pierce that the United States should buy Cuba from Spain, but Spain said they would rather see Cuba be sunk in the ocean than be owned by the United States. This is important because it was close to Florida borders and we wanted more land. -
Cuba’s First War for Independence
Cuba rebelled against Spain, but they didn’t succeed. Later they eventually got Spain to abolish slavery and after that american capitalists began investing millions of dollars in sugarcane plantations in Cuban land. It was important because the U.S was always interested in Cuba and this was kind of the first step for us to gain Cuba’s attention. -
Jose Marti led Cuba’s Second War for Independence
In 1895, Jose Marti, a Cuban poet and journalist, launched a revolution. He organized Cuba's resistance against Spain by using a campaign and destroying property, like American owned plantations and sugar mills. He counted on provoking the U.S. Intervention to give Cuba freedom. This was important because he wanted to get America’s attention to help free Cuba from Spain. -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
In 1896, Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba to take order. He tried to restore order by putting them into concentration camps. 300,000 Cubans were put in these camps and a lot of them died from hunger and disease. It was important because this enhanced America to get involved and take control so the concentration camps would be put to an end. -
The Yellow Press begun to shape American Public opinion with respect to Cuba’s Civil War
The Yellow Press had many reports that talked about what was happening over in Cuba. Many of the reports were exaggerations, but they triggered the sympathy from the American Public. They became the yellow press because of a charactor out of a comic strip. America wanted to read and becoming more literate. The Yellow Press was important because it helped America be more aware about what was happening in Cuba. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
In 1898 New York journal published a letter written by the Spanish administrator to the U.S. This letter was an insult to President McKinley. It criticized him. He really didn't want a war. The Spanish government later apologized and the minister resigned. This letter was meant to Spanish officials, but it was leaked. This event was important because it made us be more angry at Spain and it was a step closer to the war raging on. -
Explosion of the USS Maine
On the ship were American Citizens in danger and it was suppose to bring them home to safety. The ship blew up in a harbor near Havana and more than 260 men were killed. Later on they found out that the Spanish had blew it up on purpose. This explotion became a battle cry. This event played a major role to start the war. It mad us even more angry. -
U.S declares war on Spain
After the ship exploded, America became furious and declared war on Spain on April 20th. McInkinley gives in and goes to cogress to declare war on Spain. This was important because we want to kick out Spain and let Cuba gain their independence. We still needed volunteers and needed to train them. -
Naval Blockade of of Cuba
Our navy was ready. This event was the first act of war. Admiral William T. Sampson effectively sealed up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. This is important because it blocked spanish fleets. -
US Attack on Manila Bay
Commodore George Dewey gave the command to open fire on the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay, which was known as the Philippine capital. It is important because America had taken over which allowed the U.S. troops to land in the Philippines. We first wanted to free the people, but later just want more land. -
U.S. Forces Invade Cuba
They weren't doing very well until 125,000 American's volunteered for the war but they lacked the effective leaders and they didn't have enough guns. Only 17,000 out of those 125,000 americans actually went to invade Cuba. Even though they were lacking many things they succesfulling invaded Cuba in June 1898. They U.S. army landed in Cuba and began to converge on the port city of Santiago. This is important because we gained control of Cuba. -
Battle for Kettle/ San Juan Hill
This battle was one of the famous battles in the Spainsh-American war. The rough riders led the San Juan Hill battle. Roosevelt and his army had an important role but was over emphasis. They took the high ground over San Diego. When you capture the high ground you have a better chance. This is important because it ended the Spanish War. It was a huge turning point. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet
The Spanish fleet tried to escape the American blockade of the harbor at Santiago. That event lead to the destruction of the Spanish fleet and because of this victory, American troops were able to invade Puerto Rico. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
The destruction of the Spanish fleet was an important role for the U.S in gaining entrance into Puerto Rico. This event was important because we gain more land and become even more of an imperialistic country. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
George Dewey, like the cubans, wanted freedom from Spain. 11,000 Americans joined forces with the Filipino rebels and attacked. The Spanish surrendered to the United States in Manila. This is important because they got freedom from Spain. We say they need to be teaached so we take them under our wing, but than the Phillippines wanted their freedom from the U.S. -
Armistice is Signed Between the U.S. and Spain
The United States and Spain signed an armistice to agree to end the war that had lasted 15 weeks. An armistice means that the fighting would stop and come to an end.This was important because it ended the war. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was a peace treaty signed between Spain and the United States after the war had ended. This was important because it ended the war and they give us Guan, Puerto Rico, and Cuba gained it's independce, but we tell them what to do. While we purchused the Philippines for $20 million.
