The USS MAINE arrived in Cuba's Havana harbour on January 24, 1898. The second-class battleship built between 1888 and 1895, was sent to Havana to protect American interests during the long-standing revolt of the Cubans against the Spanish government.
At about 9:30 PM on February 15, the MAINE was shattered by two separate explosions and rapidly sank. Ammunition continued to explode for hours after the blast.Nearly three-quarters of the battleship's crew died as a result of the explosion.
After the disaster, U.S. newspapers were quick to place responsibility for the loss on Spain. In spite of the newspaper propaganda, an official court of inquiry was held by the U.S. Navy to determine the cause of the blasts. The Navy concluded that the ship was sunk by a mine which ignited the forward magazines, but stated that it could not fix responsibility upon any person or persons, including the government or military forces of Spain. Regardless of the reality of the situation, the loss of the USS MAINE had turned American popular opinion strongly in favor of war with Spain. Despite of his efforts to avoid war, President McKinley finally decided to militarily intervene in Cuba to end the ongoing unrest and "liberate" Cuba from Spanish rule.
The sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana harbor on 15 February 1898 was the seminal event leading to the Spanish-American War. Although the cause of the explosion (whether a Spanish torpedo or an internal mechanical malfunction) has never been definitively determined, the event enraged American public opinion, and on 19 April Congress declared war on Spain. The Spanish forces were defeated with relative ease, and the United States eventually acquired Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines as colonies.
1) Explain the prelude to the Spanish American War (1898). (3 marks)
2) "The US interest in Cuba was merely economic." Examine the veracity of this statement. (10 marks)
Explain the concept of the Manifest Destiny. (10 marks)
ReplyDeleteThe Manifest Destiny, first hinted at in 1801 by Thomas Jefferson is an American concept based on the ideas of imperialism and nationalism. In 1845, this concept was expanded on by American journalist James Sullivan. Sullivan purported that it was the divine will that it was America’s destiny to expand her boundaries, not just throughout North America but also Latin America, the Caribbean and eventually the whole world. President Monroe in his Monroe doctrine further noted that European powers should not view Latin America and the Caribbean as subjects for future colonization and that any attempt to colonize the territories would be ‘the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition to the United States.” Malwyn James noted that Darwin’s concept of evolution applied very much to nations as it did to the biological world. The Manifest Destiny comprised of what Darwin’s theory has noted as the survival of the fittest, and the pride and nationalism that was embedded in American culture meant that that America must seek to expand her territory, enrich her nation and increase her influence. Albert T. Mahan noted that through strengthening the marine and building a strong navy, America would fulfill her destiny of not just geographical expansion but domination in terms of all cultural aspects; food, dress, music, sports, technology and most importantly, international influence.
Explain the prelude to the Spanish American War. (3 marks)
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish American War was the peak of intense anti-Spanish sentiments brewing among Cubans and a keen United States interest to acquire Cuba. Many Cubans wanted independence from Spain and a strategic and economic interest in Cuba which was highlighted in numerous attempts to purchase Cuba from Spain between 1825 and 1859 came to a boiling point in 1898. The United States was thrilled to see Cubans resisting Spanish rule and was ecstatic to assist in ridding Cuba of Spanish influence through war.
‘US influence in Cuba was merely economic” Examine the veracity of this statement.
ReplyDeleteTo a very large extent, this statement is true. As she engaged in her industrial revolution, America developed a deep interest in Latin America and the Caribbean islands, particularly Cuba, to extract raw materials and provide the markets needed for her goods. Cuba, the largest of the Caribbean territories, was a very wealthy country as it possessed many resources. Cuba had a booming agricultural industry, particularly a large sugar and tobacco industry of which they engaged in trade with the United States. The United States had an estimated US$50 million in investments in Cuba and the annual trade between the two nations was estimated at around US$100 million. Additionally, Cuba’s land was very fertile, perfect for expanding an already strong agricultural sector.
Not only did Cuba possess many natural resources but her geographical location was of vital importance as well. When America acquired Florida in 1819, Cuba was now 149km away from the United States. Due to the close proximity to the US, Cuba was now seen as a territory that because of her vast wealth and close proximity should be incorporated into the United States. Cuba was also viewed as a hindrance to other Caribbean islands. The United States wished to acquire Cuba not just its resources but also for the resources located in the other Caribbean islands. The Caribbean territories possessed human resources, land, agricultural produce and spices that the Americans craved. Annexing Cuba would bring them one step closer to the riches of the islands. After all, it was part of their destiny to conquer and rule the entire Western hemisphere.
While it cannot be denied that America had a keen economic interest in Cuba, there existed a strategic interest as well. Cuba was developing a relationship with the Soviet Union, an organization the United States saw as a threat to their quest of territorial expansion and threatening democracy throughout the world. Labelling themselves the international police, America saw it as their business to liberate the people of the world and communism, a characteristic feature of the USSR, prevented them from doing just that in Cuba. In America’s eyes, Cuba was too close to her to be forging relations with the USSR and communism would not exist in her backyard, therefore, they were determined to acquire Cuba and rid it of communist influence. The economic, political and strategic factors led America to make attempts to purchase Cuba from Spain between 1825 and 1859.
1) Before the Spanish American War (1898) there was civil unrest between the colony of Cuba and her mother Country Spain.Cuba was being oppressed by Spain and her resources were being exploited. The U.S having people staying in Cuba felt it was in their interest to protect their investments in Cuba. The U.S deployed their battleship, the USS MAINE to Cuba which arrived in Havana Harbour on January 24 1898 to aid in the Cuban revolt. On February 15 disaster struct as the USS MAINE exploded destroying most of its cargo and killing most of its crew members, sinking to the bottom of the sea. The United States held Spain responsible for this incident, which gave America to start a war with Spain.
ReplyDeleteJhonaton: 2) Cuba would be seen to the eye as just for economic gain and it is the position of the writer to agree. The question is however what specific economic did Cuba provide for America? Surely Cuba was not just a lands of virgin soul with which crops could be obtained; also, Cuba provided a strategic position by virtue of its location, to provide easy trade and better access to the Caribbean. just as America at one point, offered 156 million dollars for Cuba and still did not convince Spain to sell . just as Europe used Africa as a economic towel, sucking all the resources leaving Africa underdeveloped; so did America intend to use Cuba and so it did. Eventually Cuba would take it no more.
ReplyDeleteAmerica would soon use harsher method that would bring the Cubans to their needs economically but Cuba would still hold its independence though the heavens fall.
The manifest destiny was an ideology that was brought about by John O’Sullivan and implemented by Thomas Jefferson in 1801. This ideology was that America had the divine right to rule the world. This meant that it was God’s order that they should rule the world. According to Dugler in his book “Out of our Past” he gave America as a young bull who needed to have land to live. It was the expressed wish of the American to colonize the backward people and bring forth liberation ideology to the fore front. Due to the industrial revolution America was what was termed as Nuevo Rich which means New Rich. America was challenging the old world rule in which the super power which were Spain, Britain, France and Portugal. The manifest destiny was at a halt as America could not acquire Cuba as their land. America tried in many ways to acquire Cuba but they were rejected each time. America finally came to the conclusion that if Spain would not trade then Spain would have to go to war. Spain’s main reason for not letting go Cuba was because Cuba was their last strong hold of a colony in the Caribbean and furthermore Cuba was prosperous in natural resources. America wanted Cuba because of the assets worth $50 million and trading relations worth $120 million. America saw themselves as the new power house of the world due to their advancement in technology such as the Spinning Jenny, the railroad and the telephone. These inventions allowed America to gain the idea of always striving to be better than what they were before as for everything they did there was a renewed aspect to it. The manifest destiny was seen as a symbol of hope beyond what can be reached it was the ideal American dream.
ReplyDeleteExplain the prelude to the Spanish American war
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish American war was the fight for Cuba. American influences were the main reasons for such a war. America at the time challenged the power of the old order. Due to the Manifest destiny America saw the only thing standing in its way to gaining a foothold into the Caribbean was Cuba. It was a strategic island that was just a few mile off the coast of Florida. Upon different tactics to gain Cuba they were all turned down. America saw that Cuba could be used to attack the boarders of Florida if given the chance. America also had assets in Cuba worth $50 million and trading relations worth 120 million. America wanted Cuba for its own selfish reason. Cuba at the time was going through political unrest in that they wanted independence. America decided to aid the cause by supplying arms to rebels to fight for their “independence.”
Us influence in Cuba was mainly economic
ReplyDeleteAmerica interest of Cuba was purely economic. This is stated because America had invested in Cuba and thus they understood the riches of the country. Spain was seen as the blockade to their manifest destiny plans in which Cuba was included. Cuba was rich both naturally and economically. Cuba was the Pearl of the Antilles to Spain and she was not about to let go her golden goose to suit the likes of the newly rich Country America.
Agriculturally Cuba was rich in cultivation. Cuba produced goods such as sugar, coffee wood and cotton to name a few. America had investments in Cuba and the profits were great. In worth of asset America had $50 million in Cuba. In relations to trading they had trading relation worth $120 million. To the Americans this was a gold mine that needed to be captured to reap the benefits. The only problem that stood in America’s way for acquiring Cuba was Spain. Spain was the metropolis of Cuba and they were not ready to give the Cubans the Independence they asked for. America to gain the favour of the Cubans supplied the rebels with arms ammunition to fight for their liberty however America was being two faced because they in the end posed policies so that Cuba could sign for nothing unless it was approved by America.