The Spanish-American War occured over a few months in 1998 and became referred to as “a splendid little war”. The tension leading up to the war lasted longer than the war itself. In 1895, Cuba began to revolt against the Spanish government and Americans seeked to help the Cubans--But also imperialize their country. In February, 1998, The U.S.S. Maine exploded while en route to help Americans in Cuba and the Spanish were blamed immediately. Theodore Roosevelt, assistant secretary of the navy, was furious with President Mckinley for not taking action throughout the time leading up to the Spanish-American War. Roosevelt resigned from his position as assistant secretary of navy to fight in the Spanish-American War. He created his own unit--The