Cuba's Role in Spanish-American Conflict, 1898

The conflict between Spain and the United States in 1898 was primarily centered around the Cuban struggle for independence and the broader aspirations of the US to reduce European influence in the Caribbean and South America.

One of the longer-term causes of the conflict was the Monroe Doctrine, which was established by President James Monroe in 1823. This policy aimed to prevent European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere and asserted the United States' intention to protect the newly independent Latin American nations. As the US grew in power and influence, it sought to decrease European involvement in the region, including in Cuba, which was still under Spanish colonial rule.

The revolutionary war in Cuba that started in 1895 was another significant factor leading to the conflict. The Cuban rebels fought against Spanish colonial rule, seeking independence and self-governance. The brutal tactics employed by the Spanish authorities to suppress the revolution, including the use of concentration camps, gained international attention and sparked sympathy in the US for the Cuban cause.

Public sentiment in the United States was increasingly in favor of supporting the Cuban rebels, with many Americans viewing them as freedom fighters against oppressive colonial rule. This growing sympathy for the Cuban cause put pressure on the US government to intervene on behalf of the rebels.

Economic interests also played a crucial role in the conflict between Spain and the USA. American businesses had significant investments in Cuba, particularly in the sugar industry, and the ongoing war in Cuba caused economic instability that threatened these interests. The US government was concerned about the impact of the conflict on American businesses and sought to protect its economic investments in the region.

The sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor in 1898 further escalated tensions between Spain and the USA. While the exact cause of the explosion that sank the ship remains uncertain, it was widely believed in the US that the Spanish were responsible. This event, coupled with the broader context of the Cuban independence movement and American economic interests in the region, served as the immediate trigger for the Spanish-American War.

In conclusion, the conflict between Spain and the USA in 1898 over Cuba was driven by a combination of long-standing geopolitical factors, economic interests, and humanitarian concerns. The desire of the United States to reduce European influence in the Western Hemisphere, coupled with its support for Cuban independence, ultimately led to the intervention in the Spanish-American War.