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Why Did the United States Invade Cuba?
The Spanish-American War broke out between the United States and Spain in 1898. There are
many interpretations surrounding the war and its causes. Some believe that the reason that
the United States declared war on Spain was due to the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine, an
American war ship that blew up while it was docked in Havana Harbor. Others believe that
yellow journalism, a style of journalism that exaggerated events to sell papers was the cause.
Although, both the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine and yellow journalism helped to hasten the
declaration of war, the real reason behind the U.S. declaring war against Spain in 1898 was due
to imperialism.
Imperialism involves ambitions of countries to gain more power by acquiring more territories.
In the late 1800s many countries were taking over other parts of the world to gain an
advantage in trade and to create stronger militaries. The United States had gained control of
Hawaii and Alaska and realized that winning a war with Spain, may lead to the acquisition of
more territories, as Spain had many colonial holdings. This ambition to acquire the Spanish
territories can be seen in political cartoons from the late 1800s. One such cartoon appeared in
the Chicago Record-Herald. The cartoon portrays Miss Columbia, the female version of Uncle
Sam, pointing to Cuba on a map, and extending the prospect of statehood to the Cubans. This
cartoon shows the mood of the country, in which many saw the Spanish-American war as a
perfect opportunity to gain territory from the Spanish (Miss Cuba Receives an Invitation).
Another source from the same time period, shows the same ambition of the United States to
gain more territory. Albert Beveridge made a speech in his bid for the Senate of the United
States, in which he expressed, “If England can govern lands, so can America.” Beveridge went
on to say, “In Cuba alone, there are 15 million acres of uncut forest. There are mines of iron.
There are millions acres still unexplored.” Beveridge’s speech shows the mood of the country
in 1898. Many American leaders looked to control other territories, including Cuba and Cuba
was a colonial territory of Spain (March of the Flag).
Some believe that the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine was the sole reason that the United States
went to war against Spain in 1898. However, there was no proof that the Spanish blew up the
ship. Although the explosion of the Maine, may have given the government justification to
declare war on Spain, the real motive behind the war was imperialism.
The Spanish-American War only last three short months, but after the war was over the peace
treaty, provided the United States with more territory. In fact, the United States acquired
Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines in the final peace treaty with Spain. Cuba was granted
its independence from Spain, but became a protectorate of the United States, meaning the U.S.
controlled many aspects of Cuba after the war. Although other factors helped to push the
United States into war with Spain in 1898, the real motive for invading Cuba and fighting a war
against Spain was American imperialism.
Source Page
“March of the Flag.” Albert J. Beveridge’s Senate campaign speech, Sept. 16, 1898, Indiana.
“Miss Cuba Receives an Invitation.” Chicago Record-Herald, 1901. Chicago, Illinois.