Spanish-American War and Imperialism · US History

The 'De Lôme Letter' contributed to the outbreak of war because it:

  1. Contained what many Americans viewed as a formal declaration of war against the United States from Spain
  2. Revealed a secret alliance between Spain and Mexico
  3. Ordered the sinking of American merchant ships
  4. Insulted President McKinley, calling him 'weak' and a 'bidder for the admiration of the crowd'
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Correct answer: Insulted President McKinley, calling him 'weak' and a 'bidder for the admiration of the crowd'

Written by the Spanish minister to the U.S., the private letter was stolen and published by Hearst’s newspapers. The insult to the President outraged the American public and fueled the demand for war.

Difficulty: Medium Question 13 of 20

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