<em>The U.S.S. Maine was a battleship that had been sent to protect American lives and properties in Cuba during the revolt against the Spaniards. </em>It exploded and sank in Havana harbor in January 1898, and was the determinant factor for the United States to intervene against the Spaniards after investigations concluded<u> that the explosion was caused by an external cause</u> (a mine), and that Spanish people plotted against the Americans.