Uss maine wreckage in havana harbor, cuba, photograph, 1898. The spanishamerican war 21 april to august 1898 was a turning point in the history of the united states, signaling the countrys emergence as a world power. When the uss maine exploded in the harbor of havana, cuba, yellow journalists blamed it on spain. Major events uss maine explosion search this guide search. Of the twothirds of the crew who perished, only 200. Would the prowar jingos in american government still push for a. This international disaster, which was blamed on spain, became an important catalyst for the. Monument to the victims of the uss maine havana wikipedia. Louis fisher library of congress february 15, 2019 on february 15, 1898, the american battleship maine exploded while sitting in the havana harbor, killing two officers and 250 enlisted men. The first took place in 1898, immediately after the sinking. It has always been my opinion that the uss maine memorial tablet is the most. American newspapers, engaging in yellow journalism to boost circulation, claimed that the spanish were responsible for the ships destruction.
The united states navy armored cruiser uss maine mysteriously exploded and sank in havana harbor. Although there was no evidence that the spanish were responsible. The uss maine exploded in havana harbor 120 years ago this month, killing 261 and kickstarting the spanishamerican war. Ultimately, pressure increased on president mckinley to declare war on spain. The uss maine is one of the most famous ships in american history, but for all the wrong reasons. This was a tragedy for the united states, as 260 out of 350 american sailors and officers died in the explosion. Military art military history the spanish american war american history ocean pictures action pictures us battleships heavy cruiser ship paintings. The monument to the victims of the uss maine spanish.
The uss maine, bristling with heavy guns that made it one of the premier battleships in the navy, was dispatched to cuba in january 1898, ostensibly on a goodwill visit. In january 1898, the maine was sent from key west, florida, to havana to protect american interests during the cuban war of independence. Uss maine second class battleship bb1 or original designation armored cruiser acr1 in havana harbor, shortly before explosion. Cries of remember the maine, to hell with spain were heard throughout the country and. The american press immediately claimed the explosion was an act of war by spain against the united states a charge the spanish government vehemently and probably.
Hms rodney battleship of the royal navy 1200 x 906. Although the explosion was caused by a fire in the maine s coal bunker, the common belief at the time was that the spanish government sank the maine. Also, a translation of a spanish book relating to the battle. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Who was responsible for blowing up the uss maine in cuba in 1898. Uss maine acr1 was a united states navy ship that sank in havana harbor in february 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the spanishamerican war in april. See more ideas about maine, the spanish american war and american war. The following is a list of all officers, crew and marines attached to the uss maine on the day of its destruction. Rickover decided in 1976 to reopen the case of the uss maine and discovered that a spontaneous. Though the cause of the explosion was uncertain, the incident prompted calls within the united states for war against spain. The ship sunk in havana harbor in february 1898 was the uss maine. The uss maine was the first united states navy ship to be named after the state of maine. Hearsts newspaper immediately published a story with the headline. Would the prowar jingos in american government still push for a war eventually.
Roosevelt, lodge, hearst, and the rush to empire, 1898 thomas, evan, davidson, richard on. Hearst publishes dupuy du lomes letter insulting mckinley. How yellow journalism sparked the spanishamerican war. Mckinley signed a joint congressional resolution demanding spanish withdrawal and authorizing the president to use military force to help cuba. Although there was no evidence that the spanish were responsible, yellow newspapers such as william randolph hearsts new york journal whipped americans into frenzy by claiming that. In order to understand the role the ships sinking played in the start of the war, one must know the. It could have been an accident caused by the buildup of gas and heat from the coal fired ship but this was a time period of nationalist propaganda and yellow journalism. Uss maine was a united states navy ship that sank in havana harbor in february 1898. The cause of the february 15, 1898 explosion was likely accidental, but. As tensions between the united states and spain mounted, uss maine exploded and sank in cubas havana harbor february 15, 1898, killing 266 of the ships 355man crew. The uss maine mast memorial is a memorial honoring those who died aboard the uss maine acr1 on february 15, 1898, after a mysterious explosion destroyed the ship while at anchor in havana harbor. On this date in 1898, it was a sweltering evening in cuba. Uss maine was a united states navy ship that sank in havana harbor in february 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the spanishamerican war in april. Start studying spanish american war 1898 splendid little war.
The spanishamerican war of 1898 1900 was a direct result of poor and. Although it was later concluded that it was an internal explosion. A symbol of naval strength in the late 19th century, the maines includes pictures includes accounts of the explosion by the captain and surviving crew members. The explosion that destroyed the uss maine did not convince the cautious. During cubas revolt against spain, the battleship maine was stationed in havana harbor. Public opinion in the united states, urged on by the yellow press, assumed that spain had plotted the treachery. A naval board of inquiry concluded that the blast was caused by a mine placed outside the ship. This international disaster, which was blamed on spain, became an important catalyst for the spanishamerican war at the time, cuban guerillas were engaged in a brutal fight for independence from spain. The uss maine exploded in havana harbor 120 years ago this.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. But the public did remember the maine, and those recollections helped push the. On february 15th, 1898, the american ship uss maine mysteriously exploded in the havana harbor. What caused the sinking has been a subject of debate ever since. On february 15, 1898, the uss maine exploded and sank in havana harbor.
The incident that triggered the spanishamerican war. This day in history, february 15, 1898, the uss maine exploded and sunk in cubas havana harbor, killing 260 americans on board. Uss maine 1898 us navy ships, battleship, navy ships. Maine play in the decision to go to war against spain. Maine in havana harbor in february 1898 inspired an american. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. Shoppers, push carts, on the lower east side of nyc in 1898. Destruction of the maine, an incident preceding the spanishamerican war in which a mysterious explosion sank the u. The mckinley administration created a naval board of inquiry that concluded unanimously that the ship was.
In 1898, the uss maine exploded and sank in havana harbor. On february 15, 1898, in an event that still remains a mystery, the maine suddenly exploded as it sailed around havana harbor. In order to understand the role the ships sinking played in the start of the war, one must know the context in. Arriving in january 1898, uss maine sank on february 15 after an explosion tore through the ship. Roosevelt, lodge, hearst, and the rush to empire, 1898 by evan thomas. Who was responsible for blowing up the uss maine in cuba. The episode escalated tensions between the united states and spain.
Sherman silver purchase act of 1890 passed to appease prosilver interests in the midwest farmers, the act created inflation and lowered gold reserves thus causing the panic of 1893. In havana harbor, the 354 officers and enlisted men aboard the uss maine began to settle in for the ni. W hen the uss maine blew up in havana harbor on the evening of february 15, 1898, most of the battleships crew were sleeping or relaxing in the enlisted mens quarters in the forward part of the ship. Art nouveau tile by rhodes courtesy robert smith, from his book art nouveau tiles with style. On february 15, 1898, the american battleship maine exploded while sitting in the havana harbor, killing two officers and 250 enlisted men. Uss maine is destroyed by explosion, in havana harbor, cuba, 15 february. Maine exploded in havana harbor, killing 268 men and shocking the american populace. Original artwork by donn thorson 2012 donn thorson all rights reserved.
Get an answer for what role did the explosion of the u. Birth of an overseas empire in a way, americas empire in the pacific began with an explosion roughly 100 miles or so off the coast of florida in the quiet waters of havana harbor. Jan 17, 20 uss maine blown up in havana harbor, cuba. A powerful group of war lovers agitated that the united states exert its muscle acr. There are a few theories about why the uss maine exploded in the havana harbor in the late 19th century. Documenting united states naval activities during the spanish. The event was one of a series of incidents that precipitated the united states intervention in the cuban struggle for independence.
Initial reports concluded that maine had been sunk by a naval mine. When the uss maine exploded, who did many americans hold responsible. Scant attention was given to the possibility that an accidental internal explosion had occurred. Roosevelt, lodge, hearst, and the rush to empire, 1898 evan thomas on. Uss maine 1895 1898 uss maine, a secondclass battleship, was commissioned in september 1895 at the new york navy yard. Fourteen of the men eventually died, bringing the death toll to a total 266. Link here the current academic consensus is that there is no consensus. There have been four major investigations into the sinking of the maine. Officers and crew of the uss maine feburary 15, 1898.
Built as one of americas first battleships, the uss maine had been sent to cuba to protect the interests of americans there after a rebellion against spanish rule broke out in havana that january. Uss maine 18951898 uss maine, a secondclass battleship, was commissioned in september 1895 at the new york navy yard. Why did president mckinley send the uss maine to cuba. Following her commissioning, she spent the next few years patrolling off the east coast of the united states and in the caribbean area. On february 16, 1898, the uss maine exploded in havana, cuba.
What is known is that, in the tragedy, 260 american naval personnel were killed or wounded. The uss maine exploded in havana, killing most of its crew and convincing the us to declare war on spain. It also is mostly about the spanishamerican war and not so much about the sinking of the uss maine. Cuba on april 11, 1898, president mckinley asked congress to authorize the use of force to end the conflict in. The cause of the february 15, 1898 explosion was likely accidental, but those favoring increased american support for cubas independence struggle against spain were quick to. In fact, conservative newspapers, staid business journals, book. What ship sank at havana harbor in february 1898 answers. Efforts by congress to push for recognition of the cuban belligerency were.
The explosion of the uss maine meet your next favorite book. The controversial event that led to the spanishamerican war kindle edition by charles river editors. Apr 27, 2010 on february 15, 1898, the american ship uss maine mysteriously exploded in the havana harbor. Though then, as now, the cause and responsibility for her sinking were unclear. One month later the court found that the ship, in all probability, was destroyed by an underwater mine that ignited parts of the forward magazines. A powerful group of war lovers agitated that the united states exert its muscle across the seas. When the uss maine exploded, americans immediately blamed spain. Sparking a wave of outrage across the united states, the loss of the ship helped push the nation towards war. Later investigation disclosed that five tons of powder charges for the battleships six and teninch guns exploded, substantially. May 02, 2019 the story of the uss maine would take a disastrous turn one february evening. Uss maine article about uss maine by the free dictionary.
Assistant secretary of the navy theodore roosevelt cables commodore dewey with. The incident fueled public demands for war with spain, which congress declared on april 25. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. On february 15, 1898, the ship exploded, killing 266 naval officers and crew. On february 15, 1898, the uss maine, a battleship moored just outside cubas capital, erupted in flames and sank, killing hundreds of crew on board. On the evening of 15 february 1898, she suddenly exploded, and swiftly sank, killing nearly three quarters of her crew. The american battleship maine exploded in the havana harbor on february 15, 1898, killing two officers and 250 sailors. The controversial event that led to the spanishamerican war charles river. On february 15, 1898, the american ship uss maine mysteriously exploded in the havana harbor. Nov 24, 2009 a massive explosion of unknown origin sinks the battleship uss maine in cubas havana harbor on february 15, 1898, killing 260 of the fewer than 400 american crew members aboard. There was a climax in prewar tension between the united states and spain in 1898 but the uss maine insisted to go on an official observation visit of cuba. Sent to havana, cuba, in january 1898 to protect u. Learn about key events in history and their connections to today.
Where was the uss maine when it exploded in 1898 answers. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. The blowing up of the battleship maine in havana harbor on the evening of 15 february was a critical event on the road to that war. Uss maine the uss maine exploded in havana harbor in 1898 remember the maine. Uss maine entering havana harbor on 25 january 1898, where the ship would explode three weeks later. The event was one of a series of incidents that precipitated the united states intervention in. Names with an astrick in front of the name are individuals that died as a result of the explosion. Theories on why uss maine exploded realclearhistory. Feb 15, 2015 it almost sounds like your a mahanist, bb guard ships cruiser patrol ships strategy comes right out of a. Though the cause of the explosion could not be immediately determined, lawmakers and the public blamed spain. A book by lewis gould in 1982 concluded that inadequate. Fourteen of the injured later died, bringing the death toll to 266.
Here are several firsthand accounts of the sinking. He published a book about this investigation in 1976 entitled how the battleship maine was destroyed. A massive explosion of unknown origin sinks the battleship uss maine in cubas havana harbor, killing 260 of the fewer than 400 american crew members aboard. On february 15, 1898, the american battleship maine exploded while sitting. Est 0302 gmt havana cnn a century has passed since the uss maine exploded in havanas. Public opinion in the united states, urged on by the yellow press, assumed that spain was responsible for plotting the treachery. The mckinley administration created a naval board of inquiry that concluded unanimously that the ship was sunk only by the explosion of a mine situated under the bottom of the ship at about frame 18, and. On february 15, 1898, the uss maine exploded in the havana harbor. Theodore roosevelt and henry cabot lodge were influential politicians dismayed by the closing.
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