Spanish-American War

The Spanish American War

Nationalists in Cuba had been resisting Spanish rule since 1895. The Americans had become increasingly sorry for the Cubans mainly because of the numerous news reports about Spanish brutality. Local New York newspapers like the New York Journal and New York World exaggerated and even made up stories about the Spanish military coming down on the Cuban rebels. These intense newspaper writings, called yellow journalism, convinced much of the American public to side with the rebels, and to pressure the government into action against Spain. In April 1898, President McKinley got the perfect chance to start a feud with Spain. A U.S. ship, the Maine, had exploded in Havana. The cause of the explosion was unknown, but the U.S. government blamed Spain. McKinley, with approval from Congress, was given permission to use force in order to aid the Cubans in their fight for independence.

The Spanish-American