The USS Maine And The Spanish American War

Although there are many reasons why the Spanish-American war took place, the most important was Spain's resentment of Cuba's desire to also become an independent nation. Since Cuba was one of Spain's last territories, they were unwilling to allow independence. As a result, conflict between the two parties erupted. Since Cuba was smaller and less equipped to fight than Spain, their economy took a tumble. Due to the fact that the United States had a great deal of money invested in Cuba's sugar resources, many Americans felt the need to wage war. Additionally, there were separate events that caused anger to American Citizens. One such event was the destruction of a U.S. ship used to protect the American citizens in Cuba. Although the ship's

Political causes are known to be the most affective in starting the war. Due to the short term causes that made history. Without these events the Spanish American war could have been completely changed. Due to the riots that were going on in Havana, Mckinely sent the battleship Maine to protect American lives and property. Soon after it was anchored in the harbor, it exploded, resulting in the deaths of 260 Americans. The American press quickly jumped to blame Spain however there was little evidence found for the explosion. President Mckinely refused to declare war, however many eagerly called for war such as Teddy Roosevelt. This unexpected explosion may seem small, however was a major event in the starting of the Spanish American War. The war message and Teller Amendment was what initially started the war. “In the war message the President rejected the idea that the U.S.A would annex Cuba. “He said this would be criminal aggression and morally wrong”(Allan Hux 295). Congress agreed. “It passed an amendment

The Spanish American war started in 1898 and was a fight for Cuba’s independence which resulted in 379 American casualties in combat. The Spanish American War was justified because of the Monroe Doctrine, Correspondence between the United States and Spain, and the Platt Amendment, which were all created to protect American morals and freedom.

Nationalism was another major factor in declaring war against Spain. Nationalism emerged in the United States and all of its people seemed to support the war. The “yellow press” printed multiple stories of scandals, including the explosion of the Maine in the Havana harbor. The yellow press printed that the Spanish were responsible for this action, which led to the slogan “Remember the Maine.” Nationalism and pride surged within the United States and war became imminent. The “rough riders,” who were volunteers from the United States, invaded the Santiago harbor in order to drive out Spanish ships. They paved the way for the American army and forced Spain to sign an armistice. After the war was over and the Cubans were free, The Platt Amendment was passed. It provided that Cuba had to state in its own constitution that the US might intervene with troops in Cuba in order to restore order and to provide mutual protection. It also promised to sell or lease naval stations to the US. The doctrine of Manifest Destiny also played a major part in the war. The US wanted to expand its country and spread its Anglo-Saxon culture. Imperialism was also part of this objective.

The Spanish-American War was a war focused on control over Cuba. As previously stated, Spain touted a powerful navy, victory would cause the entire world to notice and give the United States a seat at the international table. Americans took notice of Spanish brutality to Cuban uprisings attempting to gain freedom and were sympathetic to the Cuban people. Fighting for our independence was fresh on the minds of Americans who began to support Cuban freedom from Spain. Dispatching the USS Maine off the coast of Cuba proved to be a fateful strategic move made by President McKinley because just days after on February 15th 1898 the ship was destroyed, killing over 250 sailors. Although believed to be an accident, yellow journalists ran with the story of war receiving overwhelming support from the public. War was declared in April of 1898 and just after

The people on the boat were headed towards Cuba to regulate the interests of Americans after a revolt against Spaniards. Due to the explosion America declared war which is known as the Spanish-American War of April 1898.

The excuse for entering the war was the rebellion by the Cubans against Spanish rule and the explosion of an American battleship U.S.S. Maine. The Spanish colonies in mainland North and South America became independent in the early 1800s, but Cuba and Puerto Rico remained Spanish. Many Americans in the U.S. sympathized with Cuba, which began in 1895, and also, maybe more importantly, U.S. citizens

B is correct because the Maine was exploded by a mine in Havana Harbor killing about 260 Americans and this really shocked the Americans. They blamed Spain for the event and then called for war against them.

“Remember the Maine!” The cry that could be heard throughout the United States and projected the Spanish American War into action. To what does this battle cry pertain? The mysterious explosion and sinking of the U.S.S. Maine on the shores of Havana, Cuba led to many investigations, much speculation, and eventually, the United States declaring war on Spain on the soil of Cuba. How did the U.S.S. Maine explode?

On April 25, 1898 the United States declared war on Spain following the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. The war ended with the signing of

The battleship, USS Marine was stationed in Havana’s harbor to protect American interest in Cuba. An explosion destroyed the vessel on February 15, 1898. “A naval court of inquiry blamed the explosion on a mine, further inflaming public sentiment against Spain” (HIS104 U.S. History Since 1877 30-Jun-2008, OL20). Again, the press stirred up the public with stories and headlines of a Spanish conspiracy. American now demanded revenge for the deaths of 266 sailors (Faragher, J., 2008, Out of Many). President McKinley demanded that Spanish government end brutality of the Cuban people, engage in armistice, and promise the eventual independence of Cuba. Upon Spain’s refusal, McKinley asked for a declaration of war. (HIS104 U.S. History, Lecture, 30-Jun-2008, OL20). “In order to assure the world that it was fighting only for the good of Cuba and not for colonial gain, the US passed the Teller Amendment, which promised to make Cuba independent after the war was over” (SparkNotes: The Spanish American War, 1898-1901: Summary).

In Cuba there were those like americans that wanted to be free from Spain and become their own country. Americans usually sided with revolutionaries, and they decided to help cuba fight against spain. The Maine, an American battleship was sent to to get american citizens if there was any trouble developed. On the way two hundred and sixty americans were killed from an explosion. In 1976, an investigation proved that it was an accident by the internal combustion, a fire that reached some gunpowder. Later on Newyork journal printed a headline that said, “WARSHIP MAINE SPLIT IN TWO BY AN ENEMY’S SECRET INFERNAL MACHINE.” Americans went wild and declared war with spain. Cuba won her freedom and America took Puerto Rico as American Territory.

The United States will not just sit back and let Spain destroy its new economic interest. The USS MAINE was on maneuvers when it exploded in the Havana harbor. This infuriated President McKinley, which led Congress to declare war on Spain. The Spaniards did not stand a chance against the U.S. and granted Cuba independence in December of 1898.

The war began when the Cubans were struggling for independence from Spain in February of 1985. Spain was very brutal and tried to stop the rebellion, so, many countries urged America to intervene and do something about it. This led to the sinking of Havana harbour of the battleship USS Maine in February of 1989 which was sent to protect the U.S. citizens and property after anti-Spanish rioting in Havana. Soon after, Spain announced an armistice on April 9th and granted Cuba limited powers of self-government, but the US congress issued resolutions that stated Cuba had rights to independence, demanded Spain’s armed forces to be removed from Cuba, and authorized the President’s use of force to make sure that is followed through.

One of the many wars fought by Spain was the Spanish American War. It was fought between Spain and the United States. The war began in April of 1898 and ended that same year on December 10, lasting only eight months. Cuba longed to be free from Spanish rule, but Spain refused to let this happen. The U.S. saw how Cuba struggled for independence. United States residents were there, and the U.S. had millions of dollars invested in businesses, so it was a concern to them. This was one of that factors that led to war.