LAD #22

After the Cubans revolted against the Spanish, the government, attempting to keep the US out of war for the time being, declared an ultimatum in which the Spanish would stop all forms of fighting and offer an armistice to the Cubans who'd revolted against them. McKinley wanted to push further and completely stop the fighting in Cuba, bringing his ideas to Congress a mere two days after the ultimatum with Spain. He stated that "in the name of humanity. . . the war in Cuba must stop" and continued to inform Congress in all they'd accomplished with Spain two days prior. McKinley reminds Congress about the destruction of the Maine and stated how the war raging on in Cuba is close to compromising their own peace and protection. McKinley believed it was their duty to do something about the conflicts. He pressed stating how if Spain were to leave their promise to end the hostile fighting broken, the conflict would still exist. McKinley's words for peace through force became a reality after Congress agreed to join the fight from the side of the Cubans, plunging America into war a mere three years after their policy of isolation had been put in place.