Maine

The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, served as a catalyst for the Spanish-American War by intensifying American public sentiment against Spain. Although the cause of the explosion was unclear, sensationalist journalism, particularly from newspapers like William Randolph Hearst's, blamed Spain and rallied public support for military action. This event, combined with existing tensions over Cuba's struggle for independence, fueled calls for intervention, leading the United States to declare war on Spain in April 1898. The incident marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy, shifting towards imperialism.

President William McKinley sent the USS Maine to Cuba in January 1898. The deployment was intended to protect American interests and citizens amid rising tensions during the Cuban War of Independence. The ship's explosion in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, escalated tensions and contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

The yellow journalism surrounding the USS Maine's explosion in 1898 fueled public outrage and heightened tensions between the United States and Spain. Sensationalist newspapers blamed Spain for the incident without substantial evidence, leading many Americans to support military intervention. This fervor contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, as the rallying cry "Remember the Maine!" became a unifying slogan for those advocating for war. Ultimately, it played a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and expanding American imperialism.