Spanish American-War

William McKinley

President during 1898:

sent an American battleship, the “Maine”  to Cuba to protect Americans and their business

Teller Amendment

Passed by US congress in 1898 during the war and proposed by US senator Henry M Teller, the amendment stated the US would not annex or control Cuba after the Spanish-American war. It was a compromise to address American imperialism and affirm Cuba’s independence. Even though this stopped the US from directly annexing Cuba, the US still had major influence on them

Theodore Roosevelt

Was assistant secretary of Navy during the war. Before the war even began, he advocated for US intervention in Cuba. Roosevelt became a leader of the “Rough Riders” US volunteer cavalry. His leadership in battles of Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill made him a war hero → started his political career

Admiral George Dewey

US Naval officer who led the US Asiatic squadron to victory during the first battle of the Spanish American War at Manila Bay in the Philippines. Destroyed the spanish pacific fleet on May 1st 1898. After his victory, he was promoted to admiral of the Navy which he was the only person under that prestigious title. 

General Valerino Weyler

Spanish Governor-general of Cuba. He implemented the reconcentration policy during the Cuban War of Independence which brutally put cuban civilians into concentration camps causing death, starvation and disease. The news of his harsh tactics were spread in America through Yellow journalism, fueling public outrage.

Jose Marti

Cuban revolutionary who was the leader of Cuban revolutionary movement and founder of the Cuban Revolutionary Party in 1892. He was a Nationalists/Poet who died in combat in 1895.

Battle of Santiago Harbor

Fought at santiago harbor, the battle was an American victory in which six spanish ships were destroyed and Spanish naval powers were ended.

Rough Riders

Volunteer force composed of men largely from the western frontier but also skilled fighters from the east. Along with Native Americans, men from all 45 states in the nation at the time, and 4 territories and 14 unique countries. Under the command of Roosevelt, they led the ground assault on Cuba at the Battle of Kettle and San Juan Hill.

Battle of San Juan Hill

On July 1st, 1898 the Battle of San Juan Hill was fought by the rough riders and African American regiments (buffalo soldiers). American forces captured San Juan heights over Santiago Cuba and was the downfall of Spanish forces in Cuba.

Treaty of Paris

The US and Spain signed a set of agreements a set of agreements on Dec 10, 1898 ending the Spanish-American War. The agreements gave cuban control to the US, gave Puerto RIco to the US and other islands in the West Indies like guam, and gave the US the Philippine islands.