Although the sinking of the Maine provided an immediate trigger for the Spanish-American War, long-term US military and economic interests provide a more nuanced context for the US invasion of Cuba. In this lesson, students watch a documentary video, read a telegram describing Spanish treatment of Cubans, and examine an American campaign speech to explore the long-term reasons for why the US invaded Cuba in 1898.
[Teacher Materials updated 09/22/21.]
Image: Photo of Cuban insurgents taken by Strohmeyer & Wyman in 1899. From the Library of Congress.
