Question

2) McKinley lists four reasons as evidence that war with Spain/an invasion of Cuba was necessary. List the four reasons below in your own words. (4pts)

Answer 1

McKinley lists four reasons as evidence that war with Spain/an invasion of Cuba was necessary;

i) First, President McKinley felt responsible for protecting the lives and property of Americans in Cuba and indemnity for life and property which no government there can or could afford.

ii) Humanitarian cause and to put an end to the barbarianism, starvation, blood feuds, and horrible problems that existed.

iii) President McKinley further felt the right to intervene might be justified by the severe injury to the American commerce, trade, and business, and through the wanton destruction of property and devastation of Cuba.

iv) President McKinley illustrated how such a conflict that had waged for years on an island that was so close to America and with which Americans had exchanged concerning trade and business relations. McKinley expressed how American citizen lives and liberty were in constant danger as their property was destroyed and themselves ruined; while foreign nation warships seized trading vessels liable to seizure. He viewed all these and others as a constant menace to the American peace.

Answer 2

On April 20, 1898, the Congress declared the War to Spain after President McKinley's request for intervention. The four reasons behind that request were: 1. The explosion of the U.S.S Maine. 2. The interest to annex Spanish colony of Puerto Rico and an island in the Pacific Ocean, Guam. 3. The frequent human rights violation and the terrible conditions in the Spanish camps, where the Cubans were relocated before their Declaration of Independence. 4. The territorial interest to annex the Republic of Hawaii.