The House recognition of Cuban independence from Spain

April 13, 1898

House Resolution 233, recognizing Cuban independence from Spain, passed the House by an overwhelming vote of 325 to 19.  It set in motion a series of actions that swiftly brought the U.S. into conflict with the European colonial power.  The resolution demanded that Spain withdraw immediately from Cuba and authorized President William McKinley to employ U.S. military forces to achieve that end, “with the purpose of securing permanent peace and order there and establishing by the free action of the people thereof a stable and independent government of their own.”  For a week, the House and Senate conferred over the final wording before the measure was sent to President McKinley on April 19.  When McKinley signed it the following day, Spain broke off diplomatic relations with Washington and, on April 24, declared war on the United States.  The following day, the House responded by declaring that a state of war had existed between the U.S. and Spain since April 21.  It marked just the second time in which the House issued a formal declaration of war—the prior occasion having been the War of 1812.

Related Highlight Subjects

• Artifacts in the House Collection (113)
• McKinley, William, Jr. (4)
• War of 1812 (8)

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As a Member of the House of Representatives, William McKinley of Ohio served as chairman of two committees—the Ways and Means Committee and the Committee on Revision of the Laws. Oil on canvas, Freeman Thorp, ca. 1890, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives