Asked by Gracie Moran on May 15, 2024

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What prompted president McKinley to order the battleship USS Maine to Havana in 1897?

A) He hoped to support Cuban insurgents.
B) He wanted to protect American citizens and property from Spanish loyalists.
C) He wanted to protect the American naval station at Guantánamo Bay.
D) He was going to evacuate the stranded volunteer corps known as the "Rough Riders."

USS Maine

An American naval ship whose explosion in Havana Harbor in 1898 led to the Spanish-American War, sparking a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement overseas.

President McKinley

The 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901, and was known for leading the nation during the Spanish-American War.

  • Gain an understanding of the complicated nature and consequences of the Spanish-American War and what it meant for the international policy of America.
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RM
Rachael McRellMay 18, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
President McKinley ordered the USS Maine to Havana in 1897 primarily to protect American citizens and property during the Cuban revolt against Spain. The presence of the battleship was meant to demonstrate U.S. concern and power in the region, amidst the instability caused by the Cuban struggle for independence.