Causes of the US involvement in the Spanish American War?

Answer 1

From 1868 to 1898, there was a growing Cuban Independence Movement. A Revolution broke out in 1895, partially in response to a high sugar tariff by the United States. Spain, who was in charge of Cuba at the time, were setting up concentration camps in Cuba where thousands were dying. Because of the "yellow journalism" of William Randolph Hearst and another paper, the Pulitzer, many Americans were becoming sympathizers of the Cuban Revolutionaries.

The move toward war with Spain really began with President McKinley in February 1898 due to two almost simultaneous events. The first was the "De Lome Letter" which was written by a diplomat in Washington DC that said that McKinley was a weak president. The second was the explosion of the USS Maine. Both of these events were played up tremendously by the the Hearst and Pulitzer, and McKinley was pressured to declare war, which he did on April 25, 1898.

An armistice was signed on August 12. The 1898 Treaty of Paris gave the Cubans independence from Spain, and Guam and Puerto Rico were ceded to the United States. The United States demanded the Philippines, and eventually got control of it by paying Spain $20 million.

The US also claimed extraterritoriality in China. It was an experiment in Imperialism which had lain dormant since we annexed the continental US "from sea to shining sea."

Answer 2

The USS Maine battleship was blown up in Havana harbor under suspicious circumstances and the US supported Cuban independence. In addition, they came into it through the back door by striking the Spanish Fleet at Manila Bay and totally removing that potential threat.

Answer 3

The Cubans wanted Independence, had fought long an hard to obtain it, and thousands had died in oppressive reconcentration camps from starvation and abuse. The American people cried out for it, the media clamored for it and Big Business supported it. For politicians it was difficult not to support.

Answer 4

Support for the Cuban independence movement and the sinking of the USS Maine.

Answer 5

The US media and the public supported the quest for Cuban Independence but the sinking of the USS Maine under mysterious circumstances brought the US into a state of war with Spain.

Answer 6

It was one of the belligerent nations and it began the War by seeking out Spain's Pacific Fleet at Manila Bay and destroying it.

Answer 7

In support of Cuban Independence.