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The main cause of the Spanish-American war was the expansionist nature of late 19th century America. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 set the groundwork for feelings that any European involvement in the new world would be taken as an act of aggression against the United States. The United States felt that the Spanish colonies in the Western Hemisphere were a threat and wanted to free them of Spanish influence. When a revolt against the Spanish erupted in Cuba the United states sent a ship, the USS Maine to protect United States citizens currently in Cuba. By accident (although Propaganda of the day blamed it on the Spanish) the USS Maine exploded killing 266 Americans. This caused a huge amount of anti-Spanish sentiment in the United States. An ultimatum was sent to the Spanish government demanding that they allow Cuban independence. As a result the Spanish broke off any diplomatic relations with the United States, and the United States declared war.

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15y ago

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