-
U.S attempts to purchase Cuba
In 1854, U.S ambassadors brought the idea to President Franklin Pierce that the United States should buy Cuba from Spain. The United States was interested in Cuba because it only lied 90 miles and had many resources. Spain didn't want to sell Cuba to the United States and Spain said they would rather see Cuba sink into the ocean than sell Cuba. The U.S first attempt to buy Cuba was important because it shows a long interest in Cuba and was a step forward in attempting to build an Empire. -
Cuba's First War of Independence
Cubans began to rebel against Spain in 1868 starting a war that ended about 10 years later in 1878. American began to sympathize for the Cubans because they could relate to them. Cuba did not succeed in the war and they were still under Spain's control.
This war is significant to other events because although Cuba was still under Spain's control they forced Spain to abolish slavery in 1886. America also began investing lots of money into sugar cane plantations. -
Jose Marti leads 2nd Cuban war
Marti was a poet and journalist that started a revolution. He wanted Cuba to be free of Spain, so he organized Cuban resistance against Spain. He destroyed property, especially American owned sugar mills and plantations. He wanted the second Cuban war to be short, in order to avoid interference with America and to help rebels achieve a free Cuba. He was important because he led the leader of the Cuban Rebels and he was the main symbol for Cuban independence against Spain. -
The Yellow Press
In 1896 during the Spanish-American war, American journalists William Randolph and Joseph Pulitzer went to Cuba to write about the conditions. The writers exaggerated the stories in Cuba such as poisoned wells and children being thrown to the sharks, which enraged and lured readers in America. Americans sympathized for Cubans, this was known as the Yellow Press. This is important because the Yellow Press twisted the words and made the conditions seem worse, which made Americans sympathize. -
Valeriano Weylor sent to Cuba
Valeriano Weylor was sent to Cuba to restore order. He tried to put and end to the rebels by putting all Cubans into concentration camps. Around 300,000 people were put into poor conditions and tight living spaces causing thousands to die of disease and malnutrition. Anyone who would not go into the camps were shot and killed because they were considered apart of the group of rebels.
This is important because when America found out about this they became even more upset starting another war. -
Spanish surrender the Philippines
In December 1898, Spain surrendered the Philippines to the United States. American soldiers invaded the Philippines instead of Cuba first and took out the naval fleet. This made it possible for U.S. troops to land there and take control. This surrender was important because it was an act of imperialism for the United States and many Americans were angered that the government acted like this. -
Publication of De Lome Letter
In 1989, the New York Journal posted a letter written by Enrique Dupay de Lome, Spanish Ambassador of the U.S. The letter was written to Don Jose Canelejas but stolen by a Cuban rebel and leaked. It criticized President McKinley, calling him "weak". Enrique was embarrassed, so he later apologized and Canelejas resigned. Americans were angry for the insult of their president. This is important because the insult on the U.S president made Americans outraged at the Spanish and we wanted revenge. -
The Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine
Only a few days after the De Lome letter was published, America was outraged at Spain. President McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens that were in danger and to protect American land. On February 2nd, in the harbor of Havana, the ship blew up. Over 260 men were killed.
This is important because no one really knew how it happened, but newspapers claimed that Spain was behind it. "Remember the Maine" became the battle cry, war broke out, and America was furious -
U.S declares War on Spain
America, when Congress agreed, declared war on Spain. They first destroyed every Spanish ship in the Philippines within a few hours. They then went to Cuba and created a naval blockade and they successfully sealed up the Spanish Fleet. Dewey's victory in the Philippines showed the superiority of the U.S. naval forces. After the battle at San Juan Hill, the Spanish fleet tried to escape unsuccessfully.
Importance - without these battles, Cuba and the Philippines would not have been set free. -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
The blockade was run by Admiral William T. Simpson and was a successful stall of the Spanish fleet. President McKinley ordered a blockade on Cuba and a few days later the US declared war on Spain. The Americans held the fleet at the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. This was important in the war because it demonstrated America's naval power. Also, it stopped the Spaniards from completing any war efforts by stopping them before they start. -
U.S attack on Manila Bay
In May 1898, Dewey was the commander for the U.S Asiatic Squadron. Dewey told the captain of the Olympia to fire. A few hours later the Asiatic Squadron destroyed the Spanish Pacific Fleet in the Philippines for the first Battle of the Spanish American War. 400 Spanish sailors were killed and 10 Spanish warships were wrecked, but very few Americans were wounded. The attack on Manila Bay was important because it allowed the U.S to land troops in the Philippines in order to fight the Spanish. -
America Invades Cuba
On June 14th, American troops left Tampa to begin the invasion in Cuba. We were not prepared for all the troops that would come in to fight against Cuba. There were lots of sicknesses and not enough room for the soldiers or the ammo and medical supplies needed. After the fight in the Philippines, the U.S. was considered a superior naval force so they just charged into the fight without some supplies. This was important because it was the first push into Cuba but, was enough to win the war. -
Battle for San Juan Hill
The battle of San Juan Hill on April 20th, 1898 was fought by T.R. and the Rough Riders. Although T.R. only played only a minor role, U.S. newspapers still posed him as the hero of San Juan Hill. T.R. and the Rough Riders defeated the Spanish Forces which outnumbered them. The Battle for San Juan Hill was a key battle in the Spanish American War. This was important because it was one the most significant U.S land victories and one of the final battles of the Spanish American War. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba
The Spanish fleet tried to escape the American blockade of the harbor at Santiago. When this happened there was a naval battle (along the Cuban Coast) that concluded in the destruction of the Spanish fleet. At the end of this victory, American troops invaded Puerto Rico on July 25.
Without this victory the war might have continued and it would have taken longer to agree on the cease fire to get the Treaty of Paris. Without this success, the Spanish would not have agreed as easily as they did. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
After the success with the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuba, the U.S. went to take over Puerto Rico on July 25th, With little resistance and only seven deaths, U.S. troops were able to take the island in the middle of August. After signing the cease-fire agreement with Spain, American troops raised the U.S. flag over the island, formalizing U.S. control.
This is important because without the capture of Puerto Rico we wouldn't have been able to claim Puerto Rico as our own. -
Armistice signed between America and Spain
Four months after the Spanish American War started, America and Spain signed an armistice, which is an agreement made by opposing forces in a war. Spain agreed to a peace agreement on U.S terms. Spain would surrender Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Manila in the Philippines to the United States. This is important because the U.S built a bigger Empire by gaining economic, political, and military power by Spain surrendering Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Manila to the United States. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was a treaty signed between the United States and Spain. It was signed on December 10 and ended the Spanish-American War. Spain gave up Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. The Treaty of Paris created a great debate in the U.S on whether or not the U.S had the right to annex the Philippines. This is important because it was an official end to the war, but it also caused debate in the United States because it was an act of imperialism.
