USS Maine

USS MAINE

There was tension between Spain and the United States when it came to Cuba. Cuba had tried to gain their independence multiple times losing each time. The Cuban revolutionists continued to plan and raise support from the U.S. Spain's reaction to this support was a policy called "Butcher". Orders were given to pacify the island which included putting rebels of support and civilian populations into district areas near military headquarters. This resulted in the starvation and death of 100,000 Cubans.

This outraged many Americans and fueled many Yellow Press stories, putting pressure on Cleveland and McKinley to end the fighting.

When forces in Havana instigated riots they had deep concerns of the safety of Americans and thought that protecting the U.S. citizens should be on hand. So McKinley sent out the second class battle ship, the USS Maine

In January 1898 the Main was sent from Key West Florida  to Havana, Cuba to protect the U.S. interest in Cuban War of Independence. Three weeks later there was an explosion on board the Maine in Havana Harbor. Most of the crew was sleeping or in resting in their quarters when the explosion occurred.

226 men lost there lives because of the explosion

At first they thought that a naval mine caused the explosion. Yellow Journalism however had changed some of the stories. Papers had exaggerated and distorted any information that they could attain. Papers had accused Spain of the explosion, thinking that it was their way of keeping Havana Harbor safe.

This event didn't result in immediate war with Spain but fueled the nation to head towards war. Eventually it turned into the Spanish- American War in April of 1898.

AP THEME: American Identity- The Yellow Journalism was creating a new image for the American people. They had made Spain look worse then they were and helped gear people to war. The American Identity was being fooled by papers and stories about what really had happened to the ship. American Identity was also shaped to look strong and confident. The U.S. went bold headed into Cuba thinking of only themselves and what resources we could gain from Cuba, rather then the actual concern at hand. It made the U.S look like two different identity's.

Visual Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNxHn4_U_D8