While one of the large ships of the American White Fleet was in Havana Bay, Cuba, people began to wonder why the explosion had occurred. After a couple of days the press was informed of the tragic incident, which could have been an attack on the United States. Once the press got involved there was no doubt that it was an accident as the yellow press claimed it was an attack. The sinking of the USS Maine not only cost the life of a member of the Great White Fleet, but also caused over 250 casualties. Although the Maine tragedy could have sparked war, there were more reasons why the United States declared war. America disapproved of Spain and everything they did in Spanish-controlled territories. Not only was Spain destroying the territories it controlled, but it was contravening the Monroe Doctrine. It wasn't always bad things that drove the US to invade Cuba, they also wanted to help them and even rule Cuba to some extent. Spain was conquering territories around the world. Although one has made the United States more nervous than the others; Cuba. The United States feared that Spain controlled territory so close to home. It was clear that it wasn't the best idea for an Eastern country to control something so close by, so they kept an eye on it. Once they realized their differences, the United States dumped a Great White Fleet battleship in Cuba, the USS Maine. Once Maine arrived there were more conflicts between the two countries. Within 2 weeks of arriving at the port of Havana in Cuba, the Maine was mysteriously destroyed by an explosion. As soon as the yellow press was informed, it led them to think that the explosion was an act of terrorism. This is supported in “Document A: New York Journal.” The New York Journal......center of the paper......ates wanted it to be with "Document H: Miss Cuba Receives an Invitation." This comic describes how Miss Colombia represents the United States. Miss Colombia is very interested in Miss Cuba and wants her to join the Union. “Will you not join the stars and be my forty-sixth?”.(Chicago, 1901) Most people like to believe that the sinking of the USS Maine was the reason the United States entered the war. Those people are wrong. The sinking of the Maine was an accident, not an attack. There are other theories about the explosion, and they are more reasonable than an attack on a heavily guarded ship. Maine wasn't the only reason the United States entered the war, even though it was an attack. The conflict may have started by disobeying the Monroe Doctrine. The war could have started by trying to control the concentration camps. All very possible reasons why the US went to war.