USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

[SOURCES]
What caused the Spanish-American War?

(A) Americans blaming Spain for the United States Navy ship, U.S.S. Mississippi, exploding in a Cuban harbor.

(B) ** Americans blaming Spain for the United States Navy ship, U.S.S. Maine, exploding in a Cuban harbor.

(C) Americans blaming Spain for the United States Navy ship, U.S.S. Missouri, exploding in a Cuban harbor.

(D) Americans blaming Spain for the United States Navy ship, U.S.S. Massachusetts, exploding in a Cuban harbor.

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -Maine was a United States Navy ship that sank in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in April. U.S. newspapers, engaging in yellow journalism to boost circulation, claimed that the Spanish were responsible for the ship’s destruction.

Concept note-2: -Why did many Americans blame Spain for the explosion of the USS Maine? Many viewed war with Spain as an opportunity to acquire Cuba and supported anything that made Spain look like the bad guy or evil.

Concept note-3: -The reasons for war were many, but there were two immediate ones: America’s support the ongoing struggle by Cubans and Filipinos against Spanish rule, and the mysterious explosion of the battleship U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor.

Concept note-4: -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.

Concept note-5: -The American “yellow press” blame Spain in banner headlines, outraging the public and inciting the rallying cry, “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” Over 260 crew members perish in this event, which was a contributing factor in the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.