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U.S. attempts to purchase Cuba
The Ostend Manifesto, also known as the Ostend Circular, was a document written in 1854 that described the rationale for the United States to purchase Cuba from Spain while implying that the U.S. should declare war if Spain refused. They met secretly at Ostend, Belgium, and drafted a dispatch at Aachen, Prussia. -
Cuba's first war for independence
Cuban Independence Movement, the nationalist uprising in Cuba against Spanish rule. It began with the unsuccessful Ten Years' War and culminated in the U.S. intervention that ended the Spanish colonial presence in the Americas -
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba by Spain
On February 10, 1896, Weyler was given the title of governor of Cuba, replacing Martinez de Campos. Weyler was given the duty in hopes that he could repress the Liberation Army and restore political order in Cuba. Spain also had hopes of restoring the sugar industry in Cuba. -
U.S. declares war on Spain
The reasons for war were many, but there were two immediate ones America's support the ongoing struggle by Cubans and Filipinos against Spanish rule, and the mysterious explosion of the battleship U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor. -
publication of the DE Lome Letter
In February 1898, however, the New York Journal published a private letter written by Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, the Spanish minister to the United States. A Cuban rebel had stolen the letter from a Havana post office and leaked it to the newspaper, which was thirsty for scandal. The de Lôme letter criticized President McKinley, calling him weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd. -
the explosion of the U.S.S Maine
Only a few days after the publication of the de Lôme letter, American resentment toward Spain turned to outrage. Early in 1898, President McKinley had ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens in danger from the fighting and to protect American property. On February 15, 1898, the ship blew up in the harbor of Havana. More then 260 men were killed. At the time, no one really knew why the ship exploded. -
The Yellow Press
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. -
Jose Marti led to Cuba's second war for independence
Through his writings and political activity, he became a symbol of Cuba's bid for independence from Spain in the 19th century, and is referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence." From adolescence, he dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty, political independence for Cuba, and intellectual independence -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill led directly to the surrender of Santiago on July 17, a crucial victory preceding the end of hostilities in August. Furthermore, it launched the career of Theodore Roosevelt and popularized the Rough Riders. -
U.S. Invade Cuba
In 1898, the U.S. sent its armies to Cuba and sought to establish control over the territory against Spain. The most significant engagement was the Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, where Teddy Roosevelt led the Rough Riders cavalry to a decisive victory. -
U.S. attack on Manila Bay
At Manila Bay in the Philippines, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron destroys the Spanish Pacific fleet in the first battle of the Spanish-American War. In January 1898, violence in Havana led U.S. authorities to order the battleship USS Maine to the city's port to protect American citizens. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
The land offensive began on July 25, when 1,300 infantry soldiers led by Major General Nelson A. Miles disembarked off the coast of Guánica. After controlling the first skirmish, the Americans advanced to Coamo, where they engaged Puerto Rican and Spanish troops in battle. -
Treaty of Paris of 1898
The Treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898, was a peace agreement between Spain and the United States that ended the Spanish-American War. Under the treaty, Cuba gained independence from Spain, and the United States gained possession of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. -
Naval blockade of Cuba
McKinley signed a joint Congressional resolution demanding Spanish withdrawal and authorizing the President to use military force to help Cuba gain independence on April 20, 1898. In response, Spain severed diplomatic relations with the United States on April 21. On the same day, the U.S. Navy began a blockade of Cuba. -
Spanish surrendered the Philippines
the treaty also forced Spain to cede Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States. Spain also agreed to sell the Philippines to the United States for the sum of $20 million. -
Armistice is signed between the U.S. and Spain
The United States declared war on April 25. In Puerto Rico, Spanish forces likewise crumbled in the face of superior U.S. forces, and on August 12 an armistice was signed between Spain and the United States. On December 10, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the Spanish-American War. -
Destruction of the Spanish Fleet in Cuba
By the end of the battle, the Spanish fleet was completely destroyed. The Spanish lost more than 300 killed and 150 wounded out of 2,227 men, or approximately 22% of the fleet. 1,800 officers and men were taken prisoner by the Americans and roughly 150 returned to Santiago de Cuba.