1895

1. Thinking about what you have learned about yellow journalism, what do you think this cartoon depicting publishers Hearst and Pulitzer is about? Why are they pushing blocks that say “WAR”?

2. 1895 • José Martí, a leader of the Cuban independence movement, leads Cuban people in a revolt against the Spanish. • Martí, José Julián. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.  <http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-28684>.

3. March 1897 • William McKinley became U.S. president • He hoped to solve the Cuban conflict peacefully. • McKinley, William. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.  <http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-12918>

4. January 1898 • Rebels in Cuba were destroying crops and buildings to force Spaniards out. • Spaniards rounded Cuban people into camps. People in the camps were starving and not treated well. • This resulted in riots in the capital city, Havana and so… • McKinley sent the battleship Maine to Cuba to protect American citizens and property.

5. February 15, 1898 • An explosion shattered the Maine. • 260 were killed. • American newspapers were quick to blame the Spanish, but it was later found that the explosion was most likely accidental. • Remember the Maine becomes a rallying cry for revenge. • Maine. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.  <http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-6479>

6. February 1898 • Assistant secretary of the navy, Theodore Roosevelt, wires commodore George Dewey and his squadron of navy vessels. • He tells him to prepare for action in the Philippines in case of war. Dewey, George. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.  <http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-9947>.

7. April 19, 1898 • recognized Cuban independence • demanded withdrawal of Spanish forces • authorized President McKinley to use army and navy to enforce U.S. aims Congress…

8. April 25, 1898 • Congress declared war on Spain.

9. May 1, 1898 • George Dewey launched a surprise attack on Spanish fleet at Manila Bay, Philippines, destroying most of the ships. • Events in Cuba triggered the war, but the first action happened thousands of miles away in the Philippines. • Maine. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.  <http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-6479>

10. May 19, 1898 • Spanish fleet entered the harbor of Santiago, Cuba. • American naval force blockaded and trapped the Spanish within days.

11. July 1, 1898 • The Rough Riders, led by Theodore Roosevelt, along with the African American Ninth and Tenth Cavalries joined the Battle of San Juan Hill. • The Americans capture San Juan Hill that day. · Rough Riders. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.  <http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-119478>.

12. July 3, 1898 • Spanish fleet that was blockaded at Santiago tried to break out and failed. • Fleet was destroyed after four hour battle.

13. Late July 1898 • July 25th sailors from the cruiser USS Gloucester landed on south coast of Puerto Rico. • U.S. quickly took control of the island.

14. August 12, 1898 • War ends when Spanish signed an armistice, or cease fire.

15. December 10, 1898 • Treaty of Paris signed, official end of the war • This dissolved most of the Spanish empire. • Cuba became and American protectorate—independent, but under U.S. control. • Puerto Rico and Guam became territories of the U.S. • Philippines awarded to U.S. for a price of $20 million Treaty of Paris. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 15 Oct. 2012.  <http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-113148>

16. February 6, 1899 • Treaty of Paris ratified by senate

17. February 1899 • Emilio Aguinaldo‘s forces begin fight for independence. (Philippines) • 4,000 Americans died • 200,000 Filipinos (soldiers and civilians) died Aguinaldo, Emilio. Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.  <http://school.eb.com/comptons/art-8220>.

18. 1900 • Foraker Act • The United States set up a new Puerto Rican government under the Foraker act. • The American government controlled the new administration. • Between the war and 1900 Puerto Rico was under direct military rule.

19. March 1901 • Aguinaldo captured

20. Summer 1901 • Transfer from military to civilian Filipino government, headed by William Howard Taft. • He was preparing the islands for self-rule which was not granted until 1946,

21. 1901 • Platt Amendment • Cubans were granted full independence but, • The amendment prohibited Cuba from making treaties with other nations • U.S. took control of Guantanamo Bay base in Cuba • U.S. is allowed to intervene in Cuban affairs if country’s independence is threatened • passed by Congress as an amendment to the Army Appropriations Bill of 1901, it was included in the Cuban constitution

22. 1917 • The Jones Act made Puerto Rico a U. S. territory • All Puerto Rican citizens granted American citizenship. • Many Puerto Ricans still wanted independence.