Why did many Americans blame Spain for the explosion of the USS Maine?

Answer 1

Because America was on an Imperialist footing in 1898 (trying to expand as a new world power) and was looking for a reason (excuse) to declare war on Spain, as Spain owned territory that the US wanted at the time (Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuban ports, etc.).

As Randolph Hearst (Hearst Newspaper) inferred it, "...you supply the war, I'll supply the story!"

The Spanish-American War of 1898 was referred to (by the press) as the "Splendid Little War"; it gained the US territories with very small casualties and only lasted 6 months. The war also re-united the American people from the after effects of the US Civil War (American Civil War).

Operation Desert Storm of (Jan-Feb) 1991 was referred to (by the press) as the "100 Hour War"; it reinstated US prestige in the eyes of the world, had very small casualties (less than 200) and only lasted 45 days. The campaign re-united the American people from the after effects of the Vietnam War (President Bush Senior: "...We have beat the Vietnam syndrome...the American people are united once again."

Both wars that divided the US occurred in the 60's; both conflicts that re-united the US occurred in the 90's. History does repeat itself.

Answer 2

There is no definite answer.

At the time, the story of sabotage by the Spanish was used as an excuse to declare war.

Many people today believe it was a dust explosion in the coal bunker... an accident.

Answer 3

No one is certain to the cause. It was originally believed that it was the result of a Spanish attack on the ship, possibly a torpedo or a mine. It is possible that it was an explosion, that the engine got to hot

Answer 4

In 1898 Fighting broke out in Havana, the Cuban Capital. Acting promptly, President McKinley send the battleship Maine to Havana to protect American citizens and property there. On the night of February 15, the Maine lay at anchor in Havana harbor. Just after the bugler played taps, a huge ezplosion ripped through the ship. The spanish-American War lasted only four months. The battle front stretched the nearby Caribbean to the distant Philipphine Islands off the coast of Southeast Asia. For many years, Americans had looked longingly at Cuba. As early as 1823, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams had compared Cuba to a ripe apple. A storm, he said, might tear that apple " from its native tree" the spanish empire, and drop it into the hands of the United States. In 1868 the Cuban people had rebelled against Spanish rule. The revolution was finally crushed after 10 years of fighting. Some of the revolutionaries fled to New York where they kept up the battle for freedom. In the United States, people watched the revolt in nearby Cuba with growing concern. The united States, had vital economic links to the island. Americans had invested about $50 million in Cuban sugar and rice plantations, railroads, tobacco, and iron mines. The president was worried about a looming war over Cuba, a Spanish-ruled island just 90 miles off the coast of Florida. Cuban patriots were in rebolt against Spanish rule.

Answer 5

The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine did not cause a war with Spain, it only caused suspicion from the government about whether the Spanish had anything to do with the sinking, considering that it was in Spanish waters at the time of the sinking.

Answer 6

The US wanted war with Spain before the sinking of the Maine to end the abuse and starvation that the Spanish were causing in Cuba, where one fourth of the population were being held in reconcentration camps. The media and the public both supported Cuban Independence.

Answer 7

Thanks to campaigning on the part of Hearst newspapers, President McKinley was able to blame Spain for the mysterious incident, and thus pursue imperial interests in the Spanish-American War.

Answer 8

It is unlikely that Spain bombed the USS Maine.

It was probably an explosion that resulted from a coal bunker fire that ignited a gunpowder magazine.

Answer 9

Spontaneous explosions are rare events.