Answer: Roosevelt
Explanation: In terms of the Spanish American War, to Theodore Roosevelt war with Spain was inevitable, when the battleship Maine mysteriously exploded in Cuba’s Havana harbor in February 1898. Having been appointed to the post of Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897 by President William McKinley, Teddy had the chance to put his wartime military aspirations to good use when the Secretary of the Navy – John D. Long – stepped away from the office for several hours.
The battleship Maine, which was sent to protect the interests of the U.S. while Cuba revolted against Spain, suddenly exploded and sank, killing 3/4 of the crew on February 15, 1898. Although the cause of – and responsibility for – the explosion were undetermined, thanks to yellow-press articles printed by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, Americans demanded action. In fact, the demand for action came with its own catchphrase: “Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!”
Because of Long’s absence, Roosevelt was the Acting Secretary of the Navy long enough to order the Navy to prepare for war, including ordering supplies, ammunition, experts, and the recruitment of an inexhaustible supply of sailors. On April 20, 1898, President McKinley signed a joint resolution ordering Spain to withdraw from Cuba. The following day, Spain cut all diplomatic ties with the U.S. and the U.S. Navy started blockading Cuba. On April 23, Spain declared war, and on April 25 Congress declared war had actually started April 21. Ironically, the same day Congress formally declared war, Roosevelt officially resigned from his position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and founded the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (called the “Rough Riders”).
