Student Question
What were President McKinley's demands to Spain after the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898?
Quick answer:
After the USS Maine sank, President McKinley demanded Spain agree to a truce in Cuba, revoke the harsh "reconcentrado policy," and accept American arbitration if peace wasn't reached by October 1. Spain agreed to the first two demands but refused U.S. arbitration. Despite McKinley's efforts for peace, public pressure and a naval report citing an "external explosion" on the Maine led him to declare war.
The sinking of the USS Maine sparked a new public interest in war with Spain, a stance that President William McKinley initially rejected. He communicated with the diplomat to Spain, Stewart Woodford, and asked Spain for three concessions to peace:
- A truce between countries in Cuba while negotiations proceeded
- Revocation of the "reconcentrado policy," a Holocaust-like policy that forced Cubans to live in camps under Spanish rule
- Agreement to American arbitration on Cuba if peace was not reached by
October 1
(goliath.ecnext.com)
Spain was agreeable to the first two, but refused to allow the U.S. to arbitrate, since that would tacitly amount to allowing U.S. control over Cuba. President McKinley tried in vain to foster peace, but by the time Spain agreed to the last demand, public support for the war -- and the Cuban Rebellion's refusal to submit to arbitration -- forced him into a corner. When the Naval investigation showed that the USS Maine had been subject to an "external explosion" that ignited her powder stores (Wikipedia), President McKinley reluctantly sent a letter to Congress declaring a state of war.
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