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How did President William McKinley try to avoid war with Spain?
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Spanish-American War
Theodore Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, 1898; print created by Kurz & Allison.
President William McKinley was deeply committed to preserving peace with Spain, but he faced intense domestic pressure to intervene in the Cuban struggle for independence due to humanitarian concerns and the influence of yellow journalism.12
To avoid war, McKinley employed several diplomatic strategies:
- Diplomatic Pressure: In his instructions to the U.S. minister to Spain and his messages to Congress, he emphasized that the United States could not tolerate the ongoing conflict indefinitely, urging Spain to resolve the situation.1
- Ultimatum: On March 27, 1898, McKinley sent an ultimatum to Spain demanding that it abandon its "reconcentration" policy, declare an armistice, and accept U.S. mediation in peace negotiations with the insurgents.1
- Seeking Peaceful Resolution: He resisted immediate calls for war even after the destruction of the Maine, despite public outcry. He also engaged with European powers who attempted to mediate the conflict.1
Ultimately, these efforts failed because Spain refused to grant the full independence for Cuba that McKinley had come to view as essential for restoring order, leading him to eventually request authority from Congress to use military force.12