Why was the sinking of the USS Maine considered the start of the Spanish American War?

Answer 1

The explosion of USS Maine triggered a raise of rage against Spain in the American public opinion, alimented by inflammatory articles of the "Yellow Press", written by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, which led the US Government to come at loggerheads with the Spanish Government and declare war on Spain, though no

proof of guilty against a Spanish involvement in that event had been found.

Answer 2

A period of serious unrest in Cuba was violently quelled by Spain. The forced relocation of hundreds of thousands of Cubans into concentration camps caused extreme upset in America. President McKinley called it 'extermination' by Spain.

The USS Maine was visiting Havana harbor when she exploded. Without a thorough investigation, American newspapers and politicians immediately blamed Spain. There was no solid evidence to link the explosion to Spain except that the ship was in Spanish territorial waters. (Some modern analysts say the ship's boilers exploded; others blame sabotage by Cuban revolutionaries.)

Spain denied the charge, to no avail, and first Spain and then the United States declared war. America first invaded Cuba and Puerto Rico, later taking Guam, Philippines and other possessions from a rapidly weakening Spanish empire.

One interesting tidbit about the war with Spain: When the American forces withdrew from Cuba, 75% of the Army was incapacitated, primarily from yellow fever and malaria. The only US force to remain behind in occupation of Cuba was the all-black 9th Infantry Regiment, because the Army believed (apparently correctly) that hardy southern blacks would have better immunity to the diseases.

Answer 3

Many today still believe in the mine theory.