Exam 19: From Crisis to Empire

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The United States went to war against Spain in 1898 for a combination of reasons, primarily revolving around the U.S. support for the ongoing struggle for independence by Cuban nationalists, American economic interests in Cuba, and the explosion of the USS Maine. 1. Cuban Struggle for Independence: Cuba had been struggling for independence from Spanish colonial rule for many years, and the conflict had reached a critical point by the late 1890s. Many Americans sympathized with the Cuban revolutionaries, seeing parallels between their own colonial history and the Cuban fight against Spain. The U.S. public and press were swayed by stories of Spanish atrocities against the Cuban people, often exaggerated by the sensationalist "yellow journalism" of the time. 2. Economic Interests: The United States had significant economic interests in Cuba, with American businesses investing in sugar, tobacco, and other commodities. The instability and conflict in Cuba threatened these investments, and there was a desire among some U.S. business interests to see a stable government established that would protect American commercial interests. 3. The USS Maine Incident: The immediate catalyst for the war was the sinking of the USS Maine, an American battleship, in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. The Maine had been sent to Cuba to protect American citizens and interests during the Cuban revolt against Spain. The explosion that sank the ship killed 266 American sailors. Although the cause of the explosion was never conclusively determined, the U.S. press quickly blamed Spain, and the rallying cry "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!" became a popular slogan pushing the U.S. towards war. 4. Expansionist Sentiment: There was also a broader expansionist sentiment in the United States at the time. Influential leaders and thinkers, such as Theodore Roosevelt, believed in the idea of American exceptionalism and the country's destiny to spread democracy and civilization. They saw the conflict with Spain as an opportunity to expand American influence and territory, particularly in the Caribbean and the Pacific. 5. The Teller Amendment: In an effort to clarify the U.S. intentions, Congress passed the Teller Amendment, which stated that the United States would not annex Cuba but would "leave the government and control of the island to its people" after Spain was ousted. This was meant to reassure those who were concerned that the war was being fought for imperialistic reasons. In April 1898, after diplomatic efforts failed to resolve the situation, Congress declared war on Spain, beginning the Spanish-American War. The conflict was relatively brief, with decisive American victories in both the Caribbean and the Pacific. As a result of the war, Spain relinquished control of Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States, marking the emergence of the U.S. as a global power with overseas territories.