USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Of all the parties involved, who was least eager to go to war against Spain? President McKinley. He wanted to maintain a policy of neutrality, however public opinion and congress were calling for war. Were the newspapers justified in concluding that Spain was responsible for the sinking of the Maine?

Detailed explanation-2: -Annotation: President William McKinley was reluctant to call for war against Spain in 1898. The last president to have served served in the Civil War said he had seen too much carnage at battles like Antietam to be enthusiastic about war with Spain.

Detailed explanation-3: -McKinley originally tried to avoid an armed conflict with Spain, but the American media, led by newspaper baron Randolph Hearst, lambasted McKinley as weak and whipped up popular sentiment for a war to give Cubans their independence.

Detailed explanation-4: -William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1897, until his assassination on September 14, 1901, after leading the nation to victory in the Spanish-American War and raising protective tariffs to promote American industry.

Detailed explanation-5: -By the time Spain agreed to the demands, McKinley had made his decision. He asked Congress for permission to use military force to bring peace to Cuba. Congress agreed. It also demanded that Spain withdraw from Cuba and give up all claims to the island.