1. Spanish-American War

2. Cubans did not like being under Spanish rule so many people revolted. To stop the revolt Spain imprisoned hundreds of thousands of people. Americans were displeased with how Cubans were being treated and were worried about American owned businesses in Cuba.

3. President William McKinley sent the USS Maine to Cuba’s Havana Harbor to protect the lives and property of Americans in Cuba.

4. One night a huge explosion destroyed the Maine, killing 260 Americans. Newspapers reported that Spain caused the explosion. Which was probably not true.

5. Newspapers published many exaggerated articles about how the Spaniards treated Cubans. People were calling for action crying “Remember the Maine!”

6. Congress declared war and the Spanish-American war began.

7. Nearly one million Americans volunteered to fight. Theodore Roosevelt left his job as secretary of the navy and organized a group called the Rough Riders. The Rough Riders were a group of fighting cowboys, Native Americans, college athletes, and wealthy New Yorkers.

8. Also chosen to fight were experienced African American soldiers known as Buffalo Soldiers.

9. The Americans defeated the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Hill and American ships destroyed the Spanish fleet in Cuba.

10. As a result of the Spanish-American war the United States gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Cuba gained independence, but were under American protection for a few years.

11. With the swift victory the United States showed that it was a world power and one of the most powerful nations in the world.