ts colonies and the United States.
Even though the United States had been a trading partner with Cuba since the seventeenth century, Spain
sometimes tried to completely stop their trade with Cuba. In Spain doing so, this sometimes caused
damage to U.S. commercial interests. The United States highly disagreed with Spain's right to interfere
with this trade relationship. (Bachrach, 12)
The United States was also concerned that other trading and commercial interests were
threatened by the number of ships and soldiers Spain kept in the area. If the United States had to fight a
war with Canada or Mexico, these Spanish forces could quickly mobilize against the United States. U.S.
officials especially wanted Spanish troops out of Cuba because it lies only ninety miles of the coast of
Over the years, then, the United States built up a great deal of resentment toward Spain, although
it was unable to oppose such a powerful nation. At the same time, Spain's power was gradually
weakening. Its economy had declined, and its military ships and weaponary were antiquated and in
disrepair. Rapid political change toward the end of the noneteenth century further weakening Spain's
power. Because political parties were attempting to overthrow its monarchy, the Spanish government was
forced to devote many of its soldiers to defending the monarchy. As a result, there were fewer resources
available for defending its distant colonies around the world. The stage was set for the United States to
take stand against Spain. The United States didn't want to get involved in the Spanish-American War,
but was dragged into it due to yellow journalism, they wanted to control the seas, and wanted complete
control over Cuba (Bachrach, 13).
The American press played a major role in leading the United States into a war against Spain in
1898. The press aroused a nationalist sentiment to such a fever ...