It is true that if one has took the time to make an internal change, that other in authority will have the potential to change as well. But it is also true that when other help, those in authority can be stooped, and tragedy will rein never again. American have always been justified in fighting wars, which comes form their passion of change, and primarily their drive- nationalism. Examples are the Revolutionary War, a war of independence. Trails of Tears, a war of expansion. And the Civil War, a war to convince the South. In 1898, the terrible treatment of the Cubans, support of the Cuba's independence, the sinking of the Maine, ant the DeLome letter are prime and profound instances of why it is necessary to consider the war against Spain completely justifiable.
Spain's treatment against Cubans was despicable. Yellow fever was running rapidly in Cuban due to the mosquitoes. Some lost their live due to incapacitation- embalmed beef. But the economy was the main reason why the Cubans were treated so badly. During 1895, Cuba’s economy was chaotic due to their lack of prosperity in the Sugar production- No way to make money or a profit. After the insurrectos served as a solution to their economic deficit, the Spaniards did not hesitate to place the Cubans in concentration camps. These camp lacked sanitation, which cause immediate deaths. So to recap, lack of sanitation, a plethora of diseases from known and unknown sources, an economic deficit, and Nazi-like concentration camps was the environment that surrounded Cubans. Thank God the Americans intervened when they did. A war was definitely necessary.
Of course one would expect America to fight the Spaniards for Cuban independence, mainly because they were once victims to the unbearable and restrictive British Parliament. Though lives were lost during the war, for the purpose of independence, Cuba was eventually freed from the Spaniards. Rekindling the memory of their most famous hero was worth fighting for (Antonio Maceo, Maximo Gómez, etc). Fighting for Cuban Independence was a way for the Cuban to redeem themselves from the Ten Year War. Even though after enjoying liberation in its temporariness, the Platt Amendment compelled them to be protectorates of Americans. But better to be a protectorate, then a victim of the concentration camps. Also, upon gaining independence for the Cubans, it was admissible for American to annex Hawaii- a good practice of Manifest Destiny displayed in its fullness.
As “innocent” as the Spaniards may have seemed, all fingers pointed to them in the case of the sinking of the Maine. Though it is not completely sure who was responsible, the treatment of the Cuban suggest that the Spaniards would try a sly and insidious stunt like this. To serve as the U.S’ protection, the Maine was sent to Havana, but all of sudden the ship blew up killing hundreds of sailors. In the eyes of experts, this incident was a “tragic accident”. But in the eyes of the Americans, the Spaniard had to be stopped and for good. As a result, the President demanded cease-fire and wanted a declaration of war. Due to the Teller Amendment, the Cubans would be granted “autonomy” and self-determination”. Two justifiable causes of war.
Lastly, the Delome letter of 1898 was enough for the Americans to actually continue war. In this letter, disturbing comment was made against America’s President- President McKinley. As a result, Minister DeLome resigned. That was one less problem that Americans had to deal with, and was actually mild compared to other events that drove them to fight the Spaniards. These documents were stolen nevertheless. Personal verbal or written attacks, is justifiable in starting or continuing the war, because the American were threatened, which made it appropriate for them to defend themselves against any harm that had the potential to come about.
Justifiable is an understatement when it came to fight the Spaniards. Necessary is more fitting. Cubans deserved independence, freedom from concentration camps, economic deficits, and all forms of turmoil caused by the Spaniards. Political, social and economic conflict were presented in a number of event that had to be stopped by the Americans. Some would consider the Americans to be a “bad people” because they made Cubans protectorate, but it is always better than being up restrictive condition, as the Americans can testify to.
