US Intervention in Cuba January 1898 – August 1898 “Once the United States is in Cuba, who will get her out?” - Jose Marti

January 1898 – US intervention in Cuba began (Spain was almost completely defeated by the Cuban rebels) Pres. McKinley sent the USS Maine to Havana harbor to “protect lives and property” February 1898 – USS Maine exploded killing 260 US sailors (evidence suggests it was spontaneous combustion in the coal furnace, not an act of sabotage by Spain) When the US reported the explosion, Hearst’s New York Journal became the first newspaper in US to sell over one million copies “ Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!”

February 1898 – The Spanish troops had been forced into urban areas, making them easy targets for the Cuban rebels and making it impossible for the Spanish to retreat to rural areas where they could hide. April 1898 – US Congress approved a declaration of war on Spain, which included the Teller Amendment * claimed that the US had no intention of taking over Cuba and would remove troops when the war was over (didn’t mention Philippines, Puerto Rico or Guam) T. Roosevelt led the Rough Riders in the Battle of San Juan Hill (resigned as Assistant Sec. of Navy to fight in Cuba) Spanish forces were easily defeated in the Pacific and the war didn’t last long

August 1898 – Spain accepted the peace terms August 1898 – Spain accepted the peace terms * US received control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam (paid $20 million to Spain) * although the treaty officially granted Cuba its independence, it was the US flag (not the Cuban flag) that was raised over Havana during the surrender ceremonies December 1899 – Cubans were frustrated with the “transitional government” imposed by the US (esp. small farmers and rural workers who couldn’t get loans from the government)

Many Americans believed that Cuba would, and should, be annexed into the US. There was strong support for ignoring the Teller Amendment. * there was very little support for annexation in Cuba –the vast majority of Cubans favored independence Not sure what to do with Cuba, the US issued the Platt Amendment * basically made Cuba a pseudo-colony of the US * there were numerous restrictions that limited the idea of Cuban independence * Cuban leaders were outraged, but US government insisted