What was a significant effect of the USS Oregon's voyage during the 1898 conflict?

The voyage of the USS Oregon during the 1898 conflict, particularly in the context of the Spanish-American War, was significant in highlighting the strategic need for a quicker route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The USS Oregon made a grueling journey from San Francisco, around South America, to join the fleet in Havana. This arduous trip illustrated the logistical challenges the U.S. faced in projecting military power across oceans and underscored the importance of a canal.

As a result, the public and policymakers recognized the necessity of constructing a maritime canal through Central America to facilitate faster deployment of naval forces and improve military readiness. This sentiment fostered increased support for initiatives like the Panama Canal, which would become a critical infrastructure project in the following years. The Oregon's voyage effectively shifted perceptions and galvanized backing for such development, emphasizing the strategic advantages of having a canal to connect the two oceans.

Consequently, this event reinforced the idea that a stronger naval presence and quicker communication could support American interests and assert dominance in both the Pacific and Caribbean regions, directly aligning with the momentum toward American expansionism during this period.