Skip to main content

What role did the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine play in the decision to go to war against Spain?

The explosion of the U.S.S. Mainewas a major factor in our decision to go to war against Spain. There had been a growing discontent between the United States and Spain over the Spanish treatment of the people of Cuba. Our newspapers were reporting how poorly the Spanish were treating the Cubans. Americans, who had no viable way of verifying the newspaper reports, were outraged at the alleged mistreatment of the Cubans. When the Spanish...

The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine was a major factor in our decision to go to war against Spain. There had been a growing discontent between the United States and Spain over the Spanish treatment of the people of Cuba. Our newspapers were reporting how poorly the Spanish were treating the Cubans. Americans, who had no viable way of verifying the newspaper reports, were outraged at the alleged mistreatment of the Cubans. When the Spanish ambassador to the United States privately criticized President McKinley in a letter that was intercepted and given to the press, more people became upset with Spain. Our relationship with Spain was deteriorating.


When the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, the American people immediately blamed the Spanish. The growing public pressure to go to war against Spain was very significant, even though there was no definite evidence linking Spain to the explosion of this ship. Many years later, it was concluded that the Spanish didn’t destroy this ship. After Congress insisted that Spain must leave Cuba and gave the president the power to make this happen, the Spanish declared war on us, and we then declared war on Spain. Thus, the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine was a critical factor leading to the Spanish-American War.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more