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Sugar Plantations
In 1886, Spain abolished slavery in Cuba. After this happened, U.S. investors began investing millions of dollars in Cuban sugar plantations. -
The Influence of Sea Power upon History
In 1890, Alfred T. Mahan published the book The Influence of Sea Power upon History. In this book, Mahan described what the United States needed to do in order to have a strong military. One of the things he said we needed was Caribbean possessions. -
Cuban Revolt
The Cuban people, lead by Jose Marti, rebelled against Spain. The U.S. saw it, and felt sympathy for the Cubans. We felt this way because we understood what they were going through. -
USS Maine
In Havana Harbor, the USS Maine blew up and sank killing 260 American soilders. We don't know what caused the explosion, but Americans were quick to point fingures at Spain. -
De Lome Letter
Cuban rebels got a hold of a letter that was being sent from Enrique Dupuy to the Spanish monarchy. They leaked the letter to the New York Journal; in the letter, De Lome called President McKinley weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd. -
Yellow Journalism
Headlines such as this were called yellow jounalism. Yellow jounalism exaggerated the truth of the Cuban revolution. With these stories, the American people were deeply troubled by the accounts of Spain's brutality. -
Spreading Democracy
The Teller Amendment was a joint resolution form Congressthat allowed the U.S. place a condition of military in Cuba. But according to a clause the U.S. could not annex Cuba, it could only help the Cubans establish a government of its own. -
Declaration of War
Congress officially declared war against Spain. Leading up to this day the U.S. had broken all political ties to Spain. -
Naval Blockade
Since the Spanish had such an obselete navy, the Spanish were no match for the American blockade. The blockade also forced the Spanish fleet to hide in their ports. -
War in the Philippines
Shortly after Congress delcared war, George Dewey with the Pacific Fleet were sent to the Philippines. There they destroyed the Spanish Fleet and landed 11,000 Marines to help Emilio Aguinaldo fight against Spain. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
Theodore Roosevelt charged up Kettle Hill in the start of the battle. This allowed an infantry to attack San Juan Hill. San Juan Hill was the last stratigic high point that protected the city of Santiago. -
Battle of Santiago
In May, the U.S. Navy blockcaded Santiago Hardor. 2 days after the Spainish defeat at San Juan Hill the Spainsh Navy attempted to escape. In the battle, the U.S. Navy destroyed all Spanish ships. -
Annexation of Hawaii
President William Mckinley was in favor of annexation so he push for Hawaii to become an U.S. territory. After much debate, the House passed the Newlands Resolution in June and the Senate passed it in July; it became official in August, This came at the same time the United States was gaining territory in the Caribbean. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris officially ended the Spanish-American War. The treaty gave the United States Guam, Puerto Rico, and allow us to buy the Philippines for $20 million. The treaty also freed Cuba from Spanish rule. -
Platt Amendment
When the U.S. had freed Cuba, the U.S. forced Cuba to add the Platt Amendment to their constitution. This stated that Cuba could not make treaties that might limit its independence, the U.S. could intrevene in Cuba, Cuba could not go into debt, and the U.S. could build naval stations on the island.
