A Re-Interpretation Of Cuba And The Origins Of The Spanish-American War

The thesis seeks to reexamine the three interpretations about the origin of the war by scholars in the West and in China, and explore how partisan politics played a major role in leading the United States into the Spanish-American War. After clashes broke out between Spain and Cuba, newspapers reported the miserable situation in Cuba, which caused the American people’s sympathy. Congressional Democrats, Populists,and silver Republicans were determined to parlay their support for the Cuban rebels as a political issue against McKinley in the upcoming election. But McKinley and conservative Republicans opposed U.S.involvement in a war that would cost American lives, disrupt international trade and frighten the gold standard.The explosion of the Maine hardened Congressional opinions against Spain and conservative Republicans also began softening their opposition to the war. At the center of these partisan conflicts stands President William McKinley, who had tried every means to negotiate, profoundly in favor of a peaceful resolution, took the final steps that made war unavoidable and maintained the unity and interests of Republican party.