U.S.S+Maine

The Sinking of the //Maine//
The idea of a war with the Spanish in Cuba's defense began brewing, especially with the effects of yellow journalism and the De Lôme letter in 1898. But, sooner than expected, that idea was inevitable. In January of 1898, riots broke out through the streets of Havana, Cuba, where there happened to be American citizens living. Americans feared the harm that could come to the ones living in Cuba, so on January 25, a U.S. battleship called the U.S.S. Maine was harbored in Havana Bay in order to protect them. The captain on board, Captain Charles Sigsbee and the commanding officers, feared trouble with the Spanish, banning the Americans on board to go on shore. However, the Maine's mission to protect the U.S. citizens failed. On February 15, 1898, the //U.S.S Maine// exploded out of nowhere, killing 250-260 Americans. At first, yellow journalists flocked to their newpspapers, writing stories which claimed the Spanish soldiers at Havana Bay deliberately blew up the ship, a reaction to America's aid to Cuba. Of course, this spurred up hostile thoughts from the public toward the Spanish, causing an outbreak of pro-war feelings. Eventually, willed by the public's outcry President McKinley declared war with the Spanish. Much to the people's surprise, experts found out that the explosion was most likely caused by a random combustion of a coal bunker near the area where many of the U.S. soldiers were located. Also, Spanish officials nearby actually helped rescue some of the survivors of the explosion. These important details, however, weren't told to the public, most likely because the reporters wanted to go to war.



Other Causes of the War
The sinking of the //U.S.S. Maine// was one of the few major causes that led America into the Spanish-American War. The start of war thoughts, however, began stirring when our investments in Cuban sugar became threatened after Spanish rule started to overtake Cuba. We figured since we were involved in Cuban affairs, we needed to protect their nation. Cuban revolts broke out often and Cuban nationalists threatened the Spanish by "sabotaging...Cuban plantations". They also threatened to get the U.S. involved, which we eventually had to do. Also, the effects of yellow journalism on the public sparked feelings of war and the De Lôme Letter caused President McKinley to declare war. On April 20 both McKinley and Congress agreed to authorize war with the Spanish.


 * Other Info.:**

[] - The mast from the U.S.S Maine is currently placed in the Arlington Cemetary as a memorial for all the lives lost [] - An episode of "Unsolved History:" talks about the explosion, the real reason behind it and other theories of what might've happened


 * __Sources:__**
 * -** [|**http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq71-1.htm**]
 * - AMSCO: John J. Newman, John M. Schmalbach**