Awarded For Volunteering

While one of the United States’ shortest conflicts, the Spanish-American War of 1898 had major implications for the nation. The causes of the war can be traced to Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain that began as early as February 1895. Agitated by reports of gruesome Spanish atrocities in Cuba, American support and public opinion rapidly grew.

At the same time, the U.S. was just recovering from a deep recession. With the business community lobbying against going to war, President William McKinley ignored the exaggerated yellow press and sought a peaceful solution.

Meanwhile, the United States Navy sent the armored cruiser USS to Havana Harbor to protect American interests. Tensions between the U.S. and Spain reached a crescendo on February 15, 1898, when the mysteriously exploded and sank in Havana Harbor,