Spanish American War Timeline

January 3, 1899

August 12, 1898

1902

July 1, 1898

The Philippines declare itself an independent republic

The U.S. withdraws from Cuba

Spain and the U.S. sign a cease-fire agreement

Teddy Roosevelt leads the "Rough Riders" at San Juan Hill

The war unofficially comes to an end after the U.S. continues to destroy Spain.

August 13, 1898

The First Philippine Republic rejectsU.S. rule, declaring the Philippines an independent republic, starting the Philippine-American war. The war lasted officially for 3 years, ending in American victory, and the U.S. granted the Philippines independence in 1946 after World War II.

Cuba struggles for years to gain its independence from Spain, and as the fighting goes on Americans wonder if they should become involved.

On April 24th, Spain declares war on the U.S., even though they are not prepared nor ready for a war. The U.S. returns the declaration a day later on the 25th.

The Treaty of Paris calls for Cuba to be independent form the U.S. Cuba was under U.S. military rule until 1902 when American troops finally withdrew from Cuba, granting them formal independence from the U.S.

Held at a hill east of Santiago de Cuba in Cuba, the Battle of San Juan Hill was one of the bloodiest and arguably the most famous battle of the war. U.S. forces attack Spain's forces in Cuba, who are then overwhelmed by the U.S. The Rough Riders was nickname the 1st United States Volunteer Calvarly. The win allowed the U.S. to seige Santiago de Cuba, and won Teddy Roosevelt the Medal of Honor in 2001.

U.S. forces capture the city of Manila

American commanders were unaware of the cease-fire agreement with Spain, thus leading to the capture of the Philippine capital of Manila.

Photo of U.S. army troops and the Rough Riders on July 3rd, 1898

U.S. troops in Manila

May 1, 1898

July 17, 1898

April 12, 1900

February 15, 1898

December 10, 1898

The U.S. and Spain sign the Treaty of Paris

The USS Maine sinks unexpectedly

The Foraker Act establishes Puerto Rican government

The Spanish fleet is destroyed in the Battle of Santiago

Spanish Pacific fleet is destroyed in the battle of Manila Bay

The last remaining Spanish fleet in the Caribbean is destroyed by the U.S. Spain begins to realize they will not win this fight.

The offical end to the Spanish-American war was when the U.S. and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris. Spain gave up the remaining parts of the Spanish Empire, giving Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million.

After the U.S. takes posession of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico needs their own government. The Foraker Act calls for government elements such as a governor, a House of Representatives, and Supreme Court. The U.S. set up Puerto Rico with a very similar government as they have, as well.

The U.S. destroys Spain's fleet of ships in the first battle of the war, the Battle of Manila Bay that took place in Manila Bay, in the Philippines. 400 Spanish sailors are killed but only 6 American sailors are wounded.

The battleship USS Maine explodes and is sunken off the coast of Havana. Nobody knows why the ship exploded, but most blamed Spain at the time, making this an act of war.

Painting of the Batlte of Santiago de Cuba.

John Hay, Secretary of State, signs the memorandum of ratification on U.S. behalf

The wreckage of the USS Maine

Painting of the Battle of Manila Bay