LAD #18: McKinley's War Message

In 1895, fighting broke out between the Spanish and the Cubans. The Cubans were hoping to win their freedom from the Spanish. Three short years later, partially fueled by the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine, the United States entered the war on the side of the Cubans.

In his War message, McKinley stated to congress that the war raging on was now affecting the American citizens. He stated that the people were shocked by the atrocities taking place in the war. In addition, it was affecting the American economy as well. The United States had a large amount of trade with Cuba and the war that was going on was damaging the trade relations.

McKinley goes on to say that the war has dragged on for three years and there is still no clear winner yet. He thought that it was necessary for the United States to either act as a neutral nation to help solve the problem, or act as a military ally to one of the countries.

McKinley believed the U.S. needed to intervene because we needed to stop the bloodshed, we needed to protect the citizens of Cuba, we needed to protect our trade, and we needed to protect our own government and freedom.

McKinley Then urges that the U.S. needs to go to Cuba because the U.S.S. Maine was blown up by was was thought to be a submarine torpedo.