Timeline for Histroy

Cuban patriots took to the hills to carry on savage guerrilla warfare against the Spanish. The rebels surprise attacks and burned many sugar plantations and mils, most of these attacks would provoke the US into entering the conflict. But the US did not intervene.

Spanish Military commander put thousands of people in squalid detention centers. As many as 200,000 Cubans died of starvation and diseases in these camps.

United States offered Spain $130 million for Cuba. Spain responded that they "Would rather see it (Cuba) Sunk in the ocean."

Hopes for peace rose when a new Spanish government came to power in 1897 and removed Weyler.

A letter but the Spanish minister to the US. The Private letter had been stole by a Cuban rebel in Havana and released to the American press. It described Present McKinley as "Weak and a bidder for admiration of the crowd." Spanish government apologized and the minister resigned. Still, Americans were outraged over the insults to their country and their Present.

A United States battle ship Maine, which was sent to Cuba to protect American citizens, suddenly blew up in Havana harbor. A total of 260 sailors were killed. Though an American inquiry could not find who sank the vessel, the Spanish government agreed to an armistice in Cuba. But it was late, the American public now demanded war.

McKinley gave in to public pressure, and on April 11, 1898 he delivered a War Message to Congress.

Congress granted McKinley's request for war against Spain

Dewey attacked the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. The superior American naval forces quickly destroyed Spain's antiquated warships without losing a single man. Dewey became an American Hero. Having sunk the Spanish fleet, the Americans could now seize the Philippins.

Emilio Aguinaldo a popular Filipino patriot. Organized an army to help the Americans capture Manila in August 1898.

Corned beef at sea stunk so that we had to throw it into the sea, heavy rains pouring down, no tents for cover, standing in trenches in a foot of water and mud, day and night. The American army captured San Juan Hill and other fortified positions around the City. The Spanish fleet tried to escape from Santiago harbor, American gun boats closed in. One after another Spanish vessels were crippled and sunk by gunfire. American forces invaded Puerto Rico very easily took it.

Spain and the U.S agreed to stop fighting. 400 U.S. Soldiers die in combat, 5,000 die from other causes.

Cuba gained independence. Puerto Rico is now the United States and the U.S bought the Philippines for $20 Million.

Philippines gained independance.

The U.S. agreed to give the philippines their independence in 10 years.

Cubans wrote a constitution for an independent state.

America made Cuba accept the Platt Amendment. This agreement gave America to intervene in Cuban affairs.

America gave Puerto Rico the right to make a form of self-government.

Puerto Rico people are U.S. Citizens with the right to Elect Leaders.

Puerto Rico became a self-governing common wealth under United States protection

Model agreement providing for fair play between the two nations. The U.S. needing works to help build the Central Pacific Railroad, agreed to unlimited immigration from China. Also wont Meddle with Chinese domestic affairs

Chinese immigration for ten years was suspended.

Chinese immigrants are now fully banned from coming to the United States

Chinese Patriots known as Boxers demanded that all foreigners be expelled from China. They started to attacking and murdering missionaries and other foreigners. People got trapped in Beijing took refuge in residences of foreign diplomats. Military forces arrived and put down the Boxers.

Secretary of State John Hay started opposition to further foreign meddling in China. Letters sent to the major trading powers proposed an Open Door Policy. Under this policy, all nations would have equal trading rights in China.

U.S. wanted to open trade. Perry's warship painted black and belching smoke from their funnels, terrified the Japanese.

Japan agreed to a treaty letting American ships enter Japanese ports.

Japanese immigration was greatly restricted to the U.S.

Japan launched a surprise attack against Russia in 1904, on land and sea, the modern Japanese forces won victory after victory. Yet Japan, now running out of money could not force Russia to its knees. When President Roosevelt offered to help settle the conflict, both countries gladly accepted.

Japan and Russia signed a peace treaty both countries would withdraw from Manchuria. And both to uphold the Open Door Policy.

16 battleships of the Great White fleet- so called because the vessels were painted white- provided an impressive display of strength.