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Pres. Pierce Offers to Purchase Cuba
Pres. Franklin Pierce was told to buy Cuba from Spain, but Spain made the response that it would rather see Cuba sink into the ocean. The Ostend Manifesto was a document written in 1854 that described the rationale for the United States to purchase Cuba from Spain while implying that the U.S. should declare war if Spain refused. Cuba's annexation had long been a goal of U.S. expansionists. -
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Cubans in Reconcentration Camps
General Valeriano Weyler(nicknamed the "butcher") was sent to Havana, Cuba to maintain order. A tool implemented by Weyler was the system of “re-concentration,” in which various fortified areas were designated, and all inhabitants were given eight days to move in, including cattle and other animals. Anyone caught outside was considered the enemy and killed. These “re-concentration” towns were very crowded and unhealthy. Many died of disease and starvation. -
McKinley Wins for Imperialism
a. William McKinley was the Republican candidate in the election of 1896. He was the governor of Ohio at the time he was nominated and was the driving force behind the McKinley Tariff. William Jennings Bryan was the Democratic candidate. McKinley met delegations on his front porch in Canton, Ohio. He won by a large majority of popular votes and took office on January 1, 1897. In 1900, McKinley again campaigned against Bryan. While Bryan inveighed against imperialism, McKinley stood for it. -
U.S.S. Maine
a. After the de Lome letter was released, President McKinley sent the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to bring home American citizens. On February 15, 1898 the U.S.S. Maine exploded, killing more than 260 people. Many newspapers claimed that Spain was behind the tragedy with sensational headlines. It was more likely that there was an error in the ship that caused the explosion. This event led to the uniting rallying cry of American citizens, “To Hell with Spain, remember the Maine!” The U.S. then declared
