theodore roosevelt was president when congress declared war on spain.
theodore roosevelt was president when congress declared war on spain.
who was president when congress declared war on spain?
theodore roosevelt
on april 19, while congress was considering joint resolutions supporting cuban independence, republican senator henry m. teller of colorado proposed the teller amendment to ensure that the u.s. would not establish permanent control over cuba after the war. the amendment, disclaiming any intention to annex cuba, passed the senate 42 to 35; the house concurred the same day, 311 to 6. the amended resolution demanded spanish withdrawal and authorized the president to use as much military force as he thought necessary to help cuba gain independence from spain. president mckinley signed the joint resolution on april 20, 1898, and the ultimatum was sent to spain. in response, spain severed diplomatic relations with the united states on april 21. on the same day, the u.s. navy began a blockade of cuba. spain stated, it would declare war if the u.s. forces invaded its territory, on april 23. on april 25, the u.s. congress declared that a state of war between the u.s. and spain had de facto existed since april 21, the day the blockade of cuba had begun.
spanish–american war
the spanish–american war was a ten-week conflict that occurred in the spring and summer of 1898. cuba had been waging a war of independence against spain since 1895, an effort largely supported by the united states (which had extensive economic interests on the island). to ensure the safety of american citizens and property in cuba, the united states sent the battleship to havana in late january 1898. the "maine" exploded under mysterious circumstances and was destroyed with large loss of life on february 15. american newspapers whipped up war fever, and held spain responsible for the ship's destruction. the united states congress enacted a joint resolution demanding independence for cuba, and president william mckinley signed it into law on april 20. in response, spain severed diplomatic relations on april 21. the same day, the united states navy began a blockade of cuba. spain declared war on april 23. on april 25, congress declared that a state of war between the u.s. and spain had existed since april 21.
spanish–american war memorial (arlington national cemetery)