US Maine Sinking Research Paper

There are times in history that are significant for more than one reason and stand out because of the spark they ignite setting off a chain of other events. Of course to ignite something means the conditions are right to be combustible. The sinking of the U.S.S Maine has come to be one of those events which impacted not only the history of the United States but the world. The U.S.S. Maine, its voyage and ultimate annihilation led to the Spanish-American War. The U.S.S Maine was constructed for the U.S. Navy. It was the second “second-class battleship” constructed for the U.S. Navy. Being a second class battleship meant that it was a bigger gunned ship. This battleship took roughly nine years to complete its construction. One significant

February 15, in the area of 9:30 PM the Maine was shattered. This extraordinary ship was shattered by two separate explosions and quickly sank to the foundation of the harbor (McSherry). The two explosions as well as the sinking unfortunately led to two officers along with two hundred sixty enlisted men to die (Cavendish). Navel investigators figured that a mine had blown up which potentially ignited the forward magazines. Much later after the war, studies indicated that a coal bunker fire ignited and across it was an ammunition magazines room leading to the two explosions on the Maine

The U.S. newspapers quickly shoved the blame onto Spain. American people all over the country wanted to declare war upon Spain. The Yellow Press made sure to make and use every opportunity they had to inflame the situation beyond proportion. It was led by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. The two men were supported by hawkish senators and also the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt (Cavendish). Congress soon passed the Teller Amendment. The Teller Amendment was named after the senator of Colorado, Senator Henry Moore. This Amendment abnegated any motives by the United States to exercise jurisdiction over Cuba with the exception in a pacification role, also promising to leave the island of Cuba immediately after the war came to an end (Chronology). The Spanish government then declared war on the United States on April 24th. A day later, April 25th, the United States formally declared war (Cavendish). Many events followed after the war was formally declared on Spain. An American fleet destroyed a Spanish fleet in Manila Bay in the Philippines, effortlessly on May 1st. The commander of the fleet was Commodore George Dewey. The total casualty report was seven wounded from that battle. An American expeditionary force landed east of the Cuban City of Santiago in June. The troops were heated and drenched in sweat from wearing issued heavy woolen winter uniforms. They were also eating ‘embalmed’ beef