The main reason the US declared war on Spain in 1898 was:
To support Cuba in their fight for independence from Spain, and protect American business interests in Cuba.
1. The United States declared war on Spain in 1898 primarily to support Cuba in its struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule. The Cuban War of Independence was ongoing, and the US sympathized with the Cuban rebels fighting for freedom.
2. Additionally, the US had significant economic interests in Cuba, including sugar plantations and investments, which they wanted to protect from potential disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict.
3. The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in February 1898, although not the sole cause, further fueled American public opinion and support for intervention in Cuba, ultimately leading to the Spanish-American War.
By supporting Cuba's fight for independence and safeguarding American economic interests in the region, the US sought to weaken Spanish colonial influence in the Western Hemisphere and expand its own sphere of influence.
