Imperialism and Industrialism-The sinking Of The Maine

*1)The Sinking of the Maine:  Using the material in the book, give specific evidence from 1898 that supported the belief  that the SPANISH were responsible for SINKING IT, vs. the 1976 Modern Interpretation.  Cite specific primary source evidence (the two pages on 308).  Give a brief description of the events that happened, and it's significance.  Cite book pages, internet sources, include title and picture.

    One of the main causes of the war between The US and Spain and deciding a deciding factor in The US involvement in The Cuban War of Independence was the sinking of the USS Maine. The USS Maine (with the permission of Cuba) was sent to The Havana Bay in Cuba to protect the lives/property of Americans living there. The Maine departed for Cuba in January 1898 and got to Cuba safely and the crew members were treated with an appropriate amount of hospitality. Shortly after the Maine departed, William Hearst intercepted a letter from Spain's minister in Washington (Dupuy du Lome), This letter spoke rudely of President McKinley and was published in the paper; outraging Americans, insulting The US, embarrasing Spain and ultimately creating tension. On February 15th, 1898 The USS Maine exploded in the Havana harbor, killing 258 American sailors and injuring even more. The US media quickly snatched the story and stated that The Spanish had sabotaged the Maine, obviously the public believed this assessment and so did (The Assistant Secretary of the Navy) Teddy Roosevelt. Charles D. Sigsbee (captain of maine) was skeptical of the idea of The Spanish being the perpetrators.
   The Spanish and US governments both investigated the explosion but neither could determine the actual cause. The Spanish claimed that they had nothing to do with it. However there was solid evidence supporting the theory that Spain had been responsible for example The Spanish Ambassador had already insulted McKinley, therefore showing that Spain did not approve of or trust America. The Maine was also destroyed in the Havana harbor in Cuba, which Spain was fighting to keep. And when Congress declared Spain independent, the Spanish still refused to compromise and declared war on the US, which further proves that Spain had no interest in cooperation.
Later on people considered that there was also the possibility that the USS Maine exploded as a result of the internal magazines exploding from a source from inside the ship. The USS Maine contained explosive materials and now, in the modern day many have concluded that the USS Maine did, in fact explode as a result of internal ignition.



http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/spanishamerican/section3.rhtml
http://www.spanamwar.com/Mainemo1.htm
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq71-1.htm
The Maine was officially sent to Cuba to protect the lives and property of Americans living there.  Receiving the permission of the Spanish, the Maine left for Cuba in January 1898.
The Maine was officially sent to Cuba to protect the lives and property of Americans living there.  Receiving the permission of the Spanish, the Maine left for Cuba in January 1898. The Maine was officially sent to Cuba to protect the lives and property of Americans living there.  Receiving the permission of the Spanish, the Maine left for Cuba in January 1898.