LAD #22

William McKinley's War Message

William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, was reluctant to declare war against Spain, but eventually there was no other way to solve the conflict between the two powerful nations. He needed to declare war because the USA's "trade was suffering" and "capital invested by our citizens in Cuba has been largely lost." The United States had become a dominate power in the world and to maintain this reputation, war was waged with Spain. In the end, the United States government maintained some power and control over Cuban affairs and the USA annexed the formerly Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico, Philippines and Guam.