Title: Spanish American War Facts
Headings: Spanish American War Facts
Spanish American War Facts
Content: The Cubans were being treated horribly by the Spanish, which led to Cuba's desire for independence. Cubans were forced into slavery and thousands of them died from both starvation and disease. The U.S. supported the Cubans both for humanitarian and economic and trade reasons. The U.S. battleship Maine sunk off the coast of Cuba on February 15th, 1898, killing 260 servicemen. It was believed that a submarine mine caused the explosion and sinking of the ship. This incident helped encourage the U.S. to go to war with the Spanish. On April 25th, 1898, the U.S. declared war on Spain, and the first battle occurred on May 1st, 1898 at Manila Bay in the Philippines. The U.S. won. On June 22nd, 1898 U.S. troops landed in Cuba. On July 1st, 1898, the United States defeated the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Heights, and on July 3rd, 1898, off Santiago Bay, the United States destroyed the Spanish fleet.