The Spanish American War: The Ten Years War

The Spanish American War of 1898 was a war that lasted only ten weeks between the United States and Spain. A declaration of war was declared to Spain by the United States because of the sinking of the United States Ship Maine, but other causes that fueled America with the desire of war was the United States support for Cuban independence, business interests within Cuba because of their sugar, as well as the growing instigation of the United States newspapers that is called “Yellow Journalism”. During this period Cuba was influenced by thoughts of independence from Spain and thus started their struggle. Yellow Journalism was journalism that engaged in the act of exaggeration and sensationalism and the press greatly influenced the desire for
As a result from the spread of independence, a total of 12,000 rebel troops grouped together in attempt to fight for their possible freedom. At first these attempts of freedom was unsuccessful from the party that was formed, but later a successful attack at the village of Yara led to the naming of the revolution as well as the national party of “Grito de Yara”. The rebel army was led by Antonio Maceo who was a very influential figure whose main goal was to free the slaves and provide freedom and independence to the people of Cuba. Both Antonio Maceo and Maximo Gomez fought within the Ten Years war focusing on guerilla warfare. They gained support from the United States during the presidency of Glover Cleveland, but as a result Spain sent Valeriano Weyler to change the situation that was currently in Cuba and to stop the revolts. Weyler had very harsh methods including the reconcentration of the Cubans to prevent support and send Cubans into concentration camps where they will be killed if they did not comply. The camps were very harsh to live in and included scarce food, disease, as well as horrible housing conditions. As a result of his reconcentration policy, over 400,000 people died. After the ten years war, it finally ended conflict between Cuba and Spain and resulted in the treaty of Zanjón. In the treaty, the agreement that
Thanks to Roosevelt sending the telegram to Dewey, he was able to take over Manila Bay with ease and without suffering any casualties. Roosevelt prepared the United States Navy for war with Spain, which proved important in the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt formed his own and the first United States volunteer cavalry unit formed of cowboys, Native Americans, miners, and officials, which formed the “Roosevelt Rough Riders” (http://www.nps.gov/thrb/learn/historyculture/tr-rr-spanamwar.htm). First battle the rough riders participated in was on June 24 at the Battle of Guasimas and it resulted in the Spanish being driven away with seventy rough riders as a casualty and thirty four wounded. Roosevelt’s cavalry as well as black soldiers from both the 9th and 10th cavalry went to Kettle Hill, then San Juan Hill and their victory led to the siege Santiago. Sampson and his naval warships destroyed the Spanish Naval fleet off Santiago, and then on July 17 the Spanish later