Spain was the least important of Cuba's overseas customers and bought only 6 percent of all exports from the island.
All classes in Cuba suffered from the taxes demanded by the Spanish Government. (Caribbean)
American businessmen had invested money in sugar, tobacco, railways and harbor works.
The US placed high tariffs on cured tobacco and refined sugar so that American not Cuban workers would have the jobs in curing and refining.
Ordinary Americans were concerned about Cuban liberation after reading the stirring articles on the Cuban liberation movement which Jose Marti wrote in their newspapers.
General Weyler drove peasants into concentration camps to stop them from being recruited by force into the rebel armies.
Americans owned land or businesses which were being ruined in the fighting called on their government to send aid and bring quick rebel victory.
Army and Navy commanders pointed out that the American defenses would be stronger if Cuba was under US influence.
On 15 February 1898 the Maine exploded in Havana harbor with the loss of 266 American lives. (C)
Americans immediately blamed the Spanish (USS Main) but probably placed by Cuban patriots who saw the disaster as a way of bringing the US into the war on their side.
The Teller Amendment was passed in Congress promising to 'leave the government and control of the island to its people.'
Spain had lost the major portion of its American empire decades earlier (1824)
Spain suffered from domestic political infighting, lack of resources and international support to sustain colonies abroad.
Although US had a weak naval power they were blessed with a powerful economy and close proximity to the war zone.
The immediate cause the blowing up of the USS Maine (blown up by US spies to provoke the war).
Weyler's concentration camps reaffirmed American opinion to help the struggling revolutionaries.
Hearst: There is nothing to prevent his [Weyler] carnal animal brain from running riot with itself in inventing tortures and infamies of bloody debauchery."
McKinely tariff eliminated duties on Cuban sugar and American interests had largely gained control of the sugar industry - economic dependency.
USA was the largest market for Cuban exports, and Cuba was the third largest supplier of foreign goods.
Many Cuban revolutionaries (Not Marti) campaigned for US involvement. Cuban exiles sold war bonds and promoted Cuba Libre (Free Cuba)
Historian George Herring suggests YP was manipulated by politicians to justify a war they had already decided on.
Spanish Ambassador (de Lome) ridiculed McKinely as weak and small time politician in a letter to a friend that made it into the press.
LaFeber argues McKinely saw advantages making a war against a weak foe where victory was more or less assured.
The evidence suggests only a few businessmen wanted war, the rest were for peace or a 'surgical' strike to restore order. (Johnson)
However McKinely had no real agenda for foreign affairs like many 19th century presidents.
McKinley was worried about how Republicans would fair in mid-term elections...an easy victory could guarantee votes. (Johnson)
Rebels used scorched earth tactics that destroyed US-owned sugar cane fields and mills.
Non-Yellow Press Midwest journalists advocated for war against the Spanish as well.
US invested $50 million into the Cuban economy.
As many as 100,000 Cubans may have died in the concentration camps from disease.
Cuban consistently resisted Spanish rule through several insurrections including the 10 years war
