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US Tried to Purchase Cuba
In 1854, Secretary of State William Marcy allowed three Americans, among them, the to be president James Buchanan. This allowed them to investigate the possibility of buying Cuba from Spain. The three of them overstepped their authority when they proposed the Ostend Manifesto, which said that Spain could either sell Cuba to them or lose Cuba to force. This document was rejected by President Franklin Pierce. -
Cuba's First War for Independence
Cuba's first war of independence is also sometimes referred to as the "Ten Years' War". This was important because it showed that the Cubans did not want to live under Spanish control anymore. This war also led to the abolishment of slavery. After this war, the US started to invest more money into Cuban plantations because slavery was not present. -
Jose Martí leading Cuban Second War for Independence
Jose Martí led the second war of independence. He did this by destroying US sugar mills and plantation and hoping to get the US involved. America was split about what to do because they felt like they should help Cuba because of it. -
Valeriano Weyler sent to Cuba by Spain
Valeriano Weyler was sent to Cuba in 1896 because Cubans were getting out of control and he was supposed to restore order. He did this by sending people to concentration camps. Thousands of Cubans died due to hunger and disease. This led to to him gaining the nickname "The Butcher". -
Yellow Press Over Cuba's 2nd Civil War
The yellow press started blowing up when William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer heard about what "The Butcher" Weyler's brutality. They made up stories of him throwing children to the sharks and poisoning wells to kill natives in the concentration camp. This led Americans to have sympathy for the rebels and helped America develop a war fever. -
Publication of the De Lome Letter
In 1897 McKinley came into office. He entered office with the US wanting to intervene in the Cuban and Spanish war. McKinley tried to avoid war by being diplomatic. He was making progress with Spain. But, in 1898 the New York Journal published a private letter written by Enrique Dupuy de Lome got leaked about him calling McKinley weak. The Americans were angry about Spain insulting their president. -
U.S.S. Maine
Early in 1898 McKinley ordered the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba and bring home US citizens in danger from the fighting and to protect American property. On February 15th, 1898, the ship exploded in the harbor of Havana. More than 260 men were killed in this explosion. -
US Declares War on Spain
After the U.S.S. Maine got blown up in the harbor it was the tipping point. McKinley asked Congress for the power to declare war on April 11th and Congress approved on April 20th that the US declares war on Spain. -
Blockade of Cuba
On April 22, Secretary of the Navy, John D. Long sent Admiral T. Sampson to set up a blockade around Cuba. Ships moving through the blockade to the ports under the blockade and back out were given 30 days to leave without challenge. If any ships would try and return to Cuba would subject them to a seizure. -
U.S. Attack on Manila Bay
The morning of May 1, 1898, George Dewey's Squadron arrived at Manila Bay and annihilated the Spanish fleet in the Pacific. The U.S. did not lose a single man or vessel in this attack due to combat. -
U.S. Invades Cuba
The United States placed the U.S.S Maine in a position to protect American citizens while Cuban revolutionaries were fighting for their independence. After the explosion of the U.S.S Maine, the United States demanded Spain to give Cuba freedom. Instead, Spain declared war, American quickly reacted and invaded Cuba. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
General William Shafter was in command on the attack on the village of El Caney and San Juan Hill. Shafter wanted to capture El Caney before San Juan Hill but was held back by 500 Spanish Soldiers. Around 8,000 Americans pushed onto San Juan Hill. The Battle of San Juan Hill was split into the push onto San Juan Hill and up Kettle Hill. The Rough Riders and Black soldiers of 9th and 10th cavalry were charging up Kettle Hill lead by Theodore Roosevelt. They took San Juan Hill. -
Battle of Santiago de Cuba
Pascual Cervera on July 3, tried to escape the American blockade because their position was becoming indefensible. Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley then went on to destroy the six Spanish ships resulting in a decisive victory for the U.S. The loss of these ships essentially cut off the Spanish forces in Cuba. -
Spanish Surrender the Philippines
After the attack on Manila, the US troops landed in the Philipines. The troops had the support of the native Filipinos due to them wanting freedom from Spain. Between the attack on Manila and the surrender of the Philipines, Emilio Aguinaldo led 11,000 Americans. In August, Spanish troops surrendered to the US. -
Capture of Puerto Rico
The invasion of Puerto Rico was led by General Nelson A. Mies. General Nelson was able to secure the island with minimal resistance and only 7 deaths by mid-August. -
Armistice is Signed between US and Spain
On August 12, the Armistice was signed and made a temporary truce between America and Spain until the signing of the Treaty of Paris. -
Treaty of Paris
On December 10, the signing of the Treaty of Paris between America and Spain was the official ending of the Spanish American war.
