For those of you who couldn't care less about reading, war, or the Spanish (probably most of you), here is a summary about the Spanish-American War. The place in question is Cuba, located within the Gulf of Mexico.
Native Revolt
Cuba's main export is sugar, the reason why Spain is holding on to this economically important island. Due to the oppressive Spanish rule and American tariffs on sugar the native Cubans revolted by burning down canes by the scorched-earth method. They hoped that enough burning would drive the Spanish away, or at least get the U.S. involved. Aroused Americans demanded to go to war against Spain, and Congress agreed. However, President Cleveland refused to listen to the jingoes and stayed away from the possibility of war.
The Maine
America was on its toes as the public grew more aware of Spanish atrocities thanks to muckrakers like William Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. Public opinion steadily grew towards war, ready to blow up at any moment. In 1898, Washington sent the battleship Maine to protect and evacuate American civilians in Cuba should the situation flare up. Indeed, the flare-up did happen, except the flare-up was the sudden explosion of the ship itself. While the truth and the Spanish interpretation was that some internal problem in the ship caused the explosion, the Americans believed foul play and a sub-marine mine placed by the Spanish was the obvious reason.
McKinley's "Declaration" of War
Despite public opinion, a few anti-belligerent agreements were made with Spain, such as Spain's agreement to end its use of the terrible concentration camps and the signing of an armistice with the Cubans. Although he didn't want a war, McKinley didn't trust the persons in Madrid, and he feared giving the Democrats and Bryan any popularity for the next election. As a result, McKinley essential goes to war against Spain, although his order was to intervene to free the Cubans.
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