Governments provide the parameters for everyday behavior for citizens, protect them from outside interference, and often provide for their well-being and happiness. In the last few centuries, some economists and thinkers have advocated government control over some aspects of the economy.
Following the death of Sun Yat-sen<span>, General </span>Chiang Kai-shek<span> emerged as the KMT leader and launched the Northern Expedition in 1926 to defeat the northern warlords and unite China under the party.</span>
In General Wheelers own words, "this terrible catastrophe [sinking of the Maine] though not the cause of the outbreak of hostilities, certainly hastened the action of Congress in its declaration of war against Spain." According to Wheeler the Spains actions in Cuba were already leading to war between Spain and the US. The sinking of the Maine was the final straw that decided the congress to vote for war. But war would have come without the sinking of the Maine.