United States declaration of war upon Spain facts for kids
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| Long title | An Act declaring that war exists between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain |
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| Enacted by | the 55th United States Congress |
| Effective | April 25, 1898 |
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| Statutes at Large | 30 Stat. 364 |
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On April 25, 1898, the United States Congress officially declared war on Spain. This declaration started the Spanish–American War. The war ended with a big win for the United States. It also marked a major change for both countries. Spain's time as a powerful empire began to end. At the same time, the United States started to become a global power with interests overseas. The war officially finished when the Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898.
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Why the US Declared War on Spain
The Spanish-American War began because of the Cuban War of Independence. This war started in February 1895. For many years, the United States had watched events in Cuba closely. The US had strong business ties with Cuba.
Historians still discuss why the US got involved. For a long time, people thought the US wanted to help the Cuban people. They believed that news stories, called yellow journalism, made Americans feel strongly for Cuba. Yellow journalism used exciting and sometimes exaggerated stories to get readers' attention.
However, many historians now think the US had other reasons. They believe the US wanted to help its own long-term goals. These goals included building a canal (which became the Panama Canal) and increasing trade with China.
Key Events Leading to War
Many important events happened before the US declared war. These events built up tension between the United States and Spain.
The USS Maine Explosion
On February 15, 1898, a US Navy ship called the USS Maine exploded. This happened in Havana harbor, Cuba. The explosion killed 260 US sailors.
Many people in the US blamed Spain for the explosion. Newspapers, especially those using yellow journalism by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, fueled this anger. However, Spain had no clear reason to make the US join Cuba's war for independence.
US Actions and Spain's Response
After the Maine explosion, the US government took action. On March 9, Congress approved an extra $50 million for the military. On March 26, President William McKinley demanded that Spain end its fighting in Cuba by October 1.
Spain rejected McKinley's idea. They also did not like him interfering in their affairs. On April 11, McKinley asked Congress for permission to use military force in Cuba.
Two days later, on April 13, Congress voted. The House of Representatives voted 311 to 6. The Senate voted 42 to 35. They passed a resolution about Cuba's independence. This resolution said the US would not take over Cuba. It also allowed the President to use military force to end the fighting.
The Ultimatum and Blockade
On April 20, the US sent an ultimatum to Spain. An ultimatum is a final demand. It told Spain to leave Cuba or face US military action. Spain saw this as a declaration of war, even though it wasn't officially one yet. Spain then sent the US ambassador home and declared war on the United States.
On April 22, the US Navy fleet left Florida. They sailed to Cuba to set up a blockade. A blockade stops ships from bringing supplies to a country. This blockade aimed to prevent Spain from sending supplies to its forces in Cuba.
Finally, on April 25, the US officially declared that a state of war had existed since April 21.
What the Declaration Said
The official declaration of war was a short but very important document. It clearly stated that war was happening between the two countries.
The declaration read:
A bill declaring that war exists between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, First. That war be, and the same is hereby, declared to exist, and has existed since the twenty-first day of April, A.D. 1898, including said day, between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain.
Second. That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, directed and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of the several States, to such extent as may be necessary to carry this act into effect.
Approved, April 25, 1898.
This declaration meant that the United States was officially at war. It also gave the President the power to use all of the country's military forces. This included the army, navy, and state militias. This power was needed to fight the war.
