What major conflict was justified by American investments in Cuba and the Monroe Doctrine in 1898?

The Spanish-American War, which occurred in 1898, was significantly influenced by American investments in Cuba and the principles established by the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine, articulated in the early 19th century, asserted that European powers should not interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere, thereby offering a foundation for American intervention in the region.

By the late 19th century, American businesses had heavily invested in Cuban sugar plantations, and the economic interests of the United States in Cuba became a catalyst for conflict. The oppressive Spanish colonial rule over Cuba drew sympathy from the American public and fueled calls for intervention to support Cuban independence. The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor further escalated tensions and was used as a rallying point to justify military action.

The war ultimately resulted in the United States defeating Spain and acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a significant expansion of American influence and a shift toward imperialism. Thus, the justification for the Spanish-American War rooted in American investments and the Monroe Doctrine played a pivotal role in this major conflict of the late 19th century.