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Spanish American War

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| The Spanish American War | | | Juan Jimenez | 12/1/2012 | Historia de Puerto Rico

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The Spanish American War was fought in 1898 between the United States and Spain. Spain was a colonial power at the time, holding many territories in the Caribbean and Pacific. Revolts against Spanish rule were taking place in many of these territories. In Cuba and in the Philippines, the seeds of revolution were steadily growing. The United States found themselves in a position to assist these people with their fight for independence and to gain some land and power in both the Caribbean and the Pacific. It has long been thought that the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor was the catalyst that propelled the US into war with Cuba. I have found evidence that the US entered into war for a different reason. My research has led me to believe that the spread of disease, especially yellow fever, from Cuba into the US was the true reason for the American declaration of war against Spain.
The sinking of the Maine has historically been accepted to be the cause of the US entering into war. It can be argued that it was, but, was the sinking really caused by the Spanish? There is no conclusive evidence that it was or was not. The Maine was sent to Havana Harbor in January of 1898. The ship, along with other US military vessels, was used to help blockade the port. This would keep the Spanish fleet from replenishing supplies and weapons to quell the rebellions going on in Cuba against them. On February 15, 1898 the Maine sank. It was believed that the Spanish caused the sinking that led to the death of 260 American sailors. The incident was used to push Congress to declare war against Spain. The sinking of the Maine may actually have been an accident. The powder magazines in the ship’s cargo hold may have caught fire and exploded. This

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