Who Sank the U.S.S. Maine?
Today I am writing about Marie Elizabeth Lamb’s “Awake United States” which was written in New Orleans in 1898. This song was written between the time periods of when the U.S.S. Maine was sunk to when the call to war happened. This song was rushed into printing during this time period because it established the sinking of the Maine and the fighting urge to go to war. The U.S.S. Maine was sent out to the coast of Havana in Cuba after riots had put American interests in harm. While doing so, they managed to hit a mine that was under water and caused the ship to sink. I believe Marie Elizabeth Lamb wrote the song to turn Americans against Spain, gain as much support for war as possible, and promote yellow journalism. …show more content…
She uses accusations such as “Treacherous butchers, paid by Spain!” This accusation shows that Spain payed someone to place the mine that the U.S.S. Maine ran into and exploded on. While using this accusation she is trying to also show Americans that they could still get up and do something even though they had taken a hard lose in the Maine sinking. She is also saying that the soldiers don’t have any time to sleep on the matter “Awake! It is no dream; dost hear the sailors scream.” Along with Yellow Journalism at this time period, Marie Elizabeth’s song was intended to turn the Americans against Spain, but it was also to help gain support and numbers for the war. Although there is no proof of Spain actually placing the mine there or having anything to do with it, she blames them for it multiple times in the song. She descriptions such as