What led to the Spanish-American War in 1898?

The Spanish-American War of 1898 was primarily influenced by the explosion of the USS Maine and the U.S. support for Cuban independence. The USS Maine was a battleship that exploded in Havana harbor under mysterious circumstances, leading to widespread public outcry and demands for intervention. This incident galvanized public opinion and contributed to the rallying cry for war against Spain, which was seen as oppressing the Cuban people in their struggle for independence.

Additionally, there was a strong sentiment in the U.S. supporting Cuba's fight against Spanish colonial rule, fueled by sensationalist newspaper articles that highlighted the harsh realities of Spanish rule. Together, these factors created a momentum that ultimately led to the U.S. declaring war on Spain.

The other options, while significant in their own contexts, do not directly relate to the immediate causes of the Spanish-American War. The annexation of Hawaii, for instance, occurred in 1898 but was a separate event related to American imperialism. The sinking of the Lusitania took place in 1915 and was a key factor leading to American involvement in World War I, not the Spanish-American War. Lastly, the Treaty of Paris refers to the agreement that ended the Spanish-American War and resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories