Question

On February 15, 1898, an explosion destroyed the USS Maine. Without knowing the full detail, the powerful newspapers published stories that blamed the Spanish for blowing up the Maine. Were these stories true? What caused the USS Maine explode?

Answer 1

The USS Maine explosion was initially blamed on Spain due to sensationalist reporting, but further investigations suggest it was caused by an internal combustion, contributing to the Spanish-American War's outbreak.

Step-by-step explanation:

On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor, leading to the deaths of over 250 American sailors. Initial reports, driven by yellow journalism, asserted that the explosion was caused by a Spanish mine, which fueled public sentiment and led to the rallying cry, "Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!" Despite this claim, further investigations, including a more recent underwater examination, indicate that the actual cause was likely an internal combustion involving the ship's stored fuel or loose gunpowder near the boilers, rather than an external attack. This tragic event contributed to the start of the Spanish-American War as the United States, influenced by media sensationalism and strategic interests in Cuba, declared war on Spain shortly after.