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U.S. Attempt to Purchase Cuba
Also known as the Ostend Manifesto, the U.S. openly expressed interest to purchases Cuba from Spain. Spain declined, stating they "would rather see Cuba sink in the ocean". -
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Cuba's First War of Independence
The revolution started with rich natives and planters who wanted to abolish slavery. They instead wanted to hire Chinese people as indentured servants. Ultimately the revolution/war failed and the Cubans remained oppressed under Spain. -
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American Interest in Cuba
The United States had long held an interest in Cuba, which lies only 90 miles south of Florida. In 1854, diplomats recommended to President Franklin Pierce that the United States buy Cuba from Spain. The Spanish responded by saying that they would rather see Cuba sunk in the ocean. In one american's story, But American interest in Cuba continued. When the Cubans rebelled against Spain between 1868 and 1878, American sympathies went out to the Cuban people. -
Jose Martí Leads Cuba's 2nd War for Independence
Jose Marti used an active guerrilla campaign and deliberately destroyed poetry, especially American owned sugar mills and plantations. When he organized Cuban resistance against Spain. Marti wanted to help the rebels achieve cuba libre and he counted on provoking U.S. intervention. -
The Yellow Press Began to Shape American Public Opinion With Respect to Cuba's Civil War
Yellow journalism was a style of newspaper reporting that emphasized sensationalism over facts. During its heyday in the late 19th century it was one of many factors that helped push the United States and Spain into war in Cuba and the Philippines, leading to the acquisition of overseas territory by the United States. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
The De Lome letter was a note written by Señor Don Enrique Dupuy De Lome, the Spanish Ambassador to the United States, to Don José Canelejas, the Foreign Minister of Spain, revealing De Lome's opinion about the Spanish involvement in Cuba and President McKinley's diplomacy. -
Explosion in the U.S.S. Maine
The U.S.S. Maine brought home American citizens from fighting. On February 15, 1898, The U.S.S. Maine ship blew up in the harbor of Havana. More than 260 men were killed. No one could figure out what happened to the ship to cause it to blow up. During 1898 the newspaper put in that they think that the Spanish has blown up the ship. -
U.S. Declares War on U.S.
The United States declared war on Spain following the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898.
