LAD #22: Mckinley's War Message

     As a result of a desire for imperialism, and yellow journalism, America became involved with the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain. When the USS Maine mysteriously exploded in the harbor of Havana, the influence of yellow journalism blew the incident out of proportion and led to a public outcry for war with Spain.

 McKinley was reluctant to call for war, but the overwhelming public support for it forced him to write congress to declare war. He provides four equally flimsy reasons for going to war; One- "in the cause of humanity" to help Cuba gain independence, Two-to protect the rights of citizens in Cuba, Three- Intervention is justified by serious injury to trade and commerce, and Four- the Maine. As aforementioned, McKinley was not in support of the war and a reluctant tone is detected in his statements; "The issue is now with the Congress. It is a solemn responsibility. I have exhausted every effort to relieve the intolerable condition of affairs which is at our doors. Prepared to execute every obligation imposed upon me by the Constitution and the law, I await your action." America would prove victorious in the Spanish-American war, but the reasoning and necessity for the war remains questionable.