authorities in Cuba relocated many Cubans to concentration camps, so that they could keep an eye on them and discourage more from joining the struggle. These rebellions worried the United States, since Americans had financial interests in the stability of Cuba. Even though Cuba was controlled by Spain, America had great influence when it came to economic affairs. Around that time, ninety-percent of Cuba's exports and forty-percent of its imports went to and came from the United States. The rich and powerful were of course anxious for their investments and profits, and sought peace in the Caribbean island. They were at their core focused mainly on stability, and so whether the United States or Spain brought about that stability didn't matter to them. Popular support however was rising for the case of American intervention. With the actions like relocating people into concentration camps, much of America saw Spain as a tyrannical ruler and drew parallels to the situation with King George III and the American Revolution. The president at the time, William McKinley, wanted to settle the matter peacefully, and so offered talks with Spain. Spain refused. With the fears over financial concerns, the U.S.S.
Maine was sent to Cuba in case of trouble. On February 15, 1898, while the ship was docked in Havana, it suffered an explosion and proceeded to sink, killing two-hundred-fifty people. The US Navy held an investigation over the incident, with their conclusions being that an external explosion caused powder magazines inside the ship to explode as well. Spain held their own investigation, and concluded that it was just an internal explosion. No definite conclusions were found regarding whether Spanish forces caused the explosion, though despite this, the atmosphere with the American people was still one of outrage, and popular support for initiating war rose sharply. This incident marked the start of Spanish-American hostilities. The war began through American action. After a series of acts by president McKinley and Congress, war with Spain was declared. The war was a short one, lasting just four months, starting in April and ending in August 1898. The US had started rapidly strengthening their navy several years prior, and so obviously had a great advantage in that sense. A treaty between the United States and Spain was signed on December 10 later that year, officiating the Americans and the Cubans as the winners. Cuba, and some other Spanish colonies, were ceded by Spain over to America, to become protectorates under the
US. As a result of the war, America became a country more involved in worldly affairs. The Monroe Doctrine, in which was stated that the United States would stay out of European affairs and away from European colonies, was forgotten. In the years proceeding, the US would expand its power and reach all across the globe.