1. Cuban Independence
The main cause of the Spanish-American War was Cuba's fight for independence from Spain. Since the Ten Years' War (1868–1878), Cuba had intermittently been in revolt against Spanish colonialism, and the United States had significant economic interests in the island, including sugar plantations and other businesses. American public opinion was increasingly sympathetic to the Cuban cause, especially after the publication in 1895 of "The Maine" by American journalist Richard Harding Davis, which depicted the brutal Spanish suppression of the ongoing Cuban rebellion.
2. Yellow Journalism
Yellow journalism, which was a type of sensationalist and biased reporting by American newspapers, played a significant role in fueling public support for war with Spain. Notable publishers like Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst engaged in fierce competition to increase circulation, frequently exaggerating and fabricating stories about Spanish atrocities in Cuba. These sensationalist reports further heightened tensions between the United States and Spain.
3. De Lôme Letter
In February 1898, the Spanish Minister to the United States, Enrique Dupuy de Lôme, wrote a private letter to a friend in Cuba. The letter criticized President William McKinley and accused him of being weak and catering to the press. The letter was intercepted and published by the New York Journal, further inflaming public opinion in the United States.
4. The Sinking of the USS Maine
On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine, an American battleship, mysteriously exploded and sank in Havana harbor, killing 266 American sailors. While the exact cause of the explosion remains a matter of debate, the incident caused outrage in the United States and was widely blamed on Spain. The slogan "Remember the Maine!" became a rallying cry for war.
5. Intervention and Declaration of War
Despite efforts by President McKinley to resolve the situation peacefully, public pressure and a growing sense of national honor pushed the United States toward war. On April 20, 1898, McKinley issued an ultimatum to Spain demanding that it agree to Cuban independence and negotiate an end to the conflict. Spain rejected the ultimatum, prompting President McKinley to ask Congress for a declaration of war. On April 25, 1898, the United States declared war on Spain, marking the beginning of the Spanish-American War.