The Sinking of the Maine

During Cuba's revolt against Spain, the American people supported the Cuban rebels' cause. Their support was solidified with yellow journalism detailing the hardship the Cubans were experiencing at the hands of the Spanish. As fighting escalated, the battleship Maine was sent to protect American business. On February 15th, 1898, the Maine exploded in the middle of the night. Nobody was sure why the Maine exploded, but many Americans were quick to blame the Spanish. Under pressure, President McKinley was forced to declare war on Spain and fight with the Cuban rebels for their independence.

Modern evidence suggests that the explosion on the Maine was from an internal source, such as ammunition exploding. This evidence back then could have changed the course of history. If the United States hadn't declared war on Spain, Cuba could have remained under Spanish control for years without the aid of the US. Theodore Roosevelt, a decorated war hero from the Spanish-American War, wouldn't have become president and wouldn't have overseen the building of the Panama Canal.

Overall, history probably benefited from the Spanish-American War in the long run; whether the Spanish started it or not.

Source: "The American Vision" Textbook, P. 308