Cuban War for Independence (Feb 1895 - Dec 1898) (feb 16, 1895 – dec 3, 1898)

Description:

Cuba’s masses = misgoverned, rose up against Spanish (1895); Rooted in economics, sugar production = backbone of Cuba’s prosperity, was hurt by Amer tariff of 1894 restoring high duties; Cubans wanted to drive out spanish; Insurrectos torched canefields, sugar mills, blew up passenger trains, conflicted w/ Amer interests on island;

US side w/ Cuba; US business invested ~$50 mill there, had annual trade stake of ~$100 mill; Risked by rev upheaval; Senator Lodge - “who ever controls cuba → controls Gulf of Mexico;

"Butcher Weyler" built concentration camps to put down rebellion; Atrocities in Cuba → more sensational new “yellow journalism”;

Amer diplomats gained Madrid’s agreement to Wash’s 2 basic demands - end concentration camps, armistice w/ Cuban rebels;
McKinley had little faith in Spain’s promises, worried about Dem retaliation if he continued to be indecisive during crisis, acknowledged business interests in Cuba when made decision; Apr 11 1898 McKinley sent war message to Congress

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