Was The Spanish American War A "Just" War?

Of all the wars that happened, specifically which one of these wars are a "just" war. Why do we have wars? The Spanish American War was a really powerful war that changed the world forever. The war started by the United States sending the U.S.S Maine to Cuba to protect the U.S interests in Cuba. On February 15, 1898, the U.S.S Maine suddenly exploded, killing over 260 servicemen Because of that, McKinley declared war on Spain on April 21, 1898. Was this war considered a "just war?"

First of all, I think a "just" war is if you want a war, you have to prove why a war is needed. Even if you have a strong feeling that you might win, you can't attack a place or country for no apparent reason. If you do, only attack the country you want to attack. Not the country surroundings. If a war is declared, it has to be fair between two or more countries. Personally, I think The Spanish American War is not a "just" war because McKinley declared war on Spain. Spain didn't want war because they knew it wasn't their fault that the U.S.S Maine exploded. Americans wanted war because they thought it was Spain who bombed the U.S.S Maine. McKinley declared war because Spain caused many Cuban deaths. He also wanted all the problems occurring in Cuba to end and to have peaceful trades between U.S & Cuba and other countries, again. The Imperialists argument against the Spanish American War was Senator Beveridge think God prepared us. God made certain people mastering organizers to create a system in an area of pandemonium . He made us have a stable government, where Americans attain new territories and people treated them bad. Beveridge believed that if it wasn't for god, the world would've collapsed. Alfred believes that many countries needs Americans to think beyond and to think of better skills or techniques, so their power can influence other parts of the world. If Americans don't look outward, than they will collapse. The Anti-Imperialist arguments states that other countries dislike America's way of living. If America believes in Liberty, why don't we maintain it. Why do we have to interfere with other parts of the world business. Like, overthrowing Hawaii's government. What was the point of that? To start more problems? Like, how the Spanish-American War got started? By misunderstood facts! Also U.S should release freedom to blacks!

I think U.S Foreign Policy toward Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic was mostly either Imperialism and Internationalism. I think the U.S foreign policy toward the three nations was justified and not justified. U.S did do the right thing to help Cuba. But, the U.S went to far and they were putting a lot of laws on Cuba. Like the Platt Amendment Cuba have to follow. Cuba won their independence from Spain and now they want their independence from U.S. For Puerto Rico, it's quite similar to Cuba, but a lot more worse. The U.S passed many acts that harmed Puerto Rico. Like the Foraker Act in 1900 and The Jone Act in 1917. Also, U.S owned most of the stuff in Puerto Rico. Like, the P.R public utilities & banking industries, the tobacco plants, the sugar industry, and all overseas shipping The U.S forced the farmers to sell their lands, if they don't, they were paid extremely low for their sugar canes. After 3- years of U.S ruling P.R, living conditions were nasty, lamentable, atrocious, and many issues with diseases. However, for Dominican Republic, it's slightly better. D.R owed many money to many countries. Even to the U.S. When it was clear that D.R couldn't pay it's debts, U.S President, Theodore Roosevelt, offered to help. He paid off some of D.R's debts. After 2 years, D.R's foreign debts were paid. U.S kind of took control over D.R and helped them at the same time.

To briefly summarize, I think The Spanish-American War was not an "just" war because the explosion of the U.S.S Maine was an accident. After The Spanish-American War, the three nations were left in a total mess. If it wasn't for the U.S....Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic won't be where they are, today.