Final answer:
The U.S. media played a significant role in the Spanish American War by blaming Spain for the USS Maine explosion and by highlighting Spanish atrocities, which fueled American sentiment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. media played a significant role in the Spanish American War. Firstly, the press blamed Spain for the explosion of the USS Maine, an American battleship, which angered Americans and led to increased pressure on Congress to declare war. Sensationalist stories about Spanish atrocities and human rights abuses further fueled American sentiment, making them sympathetic towards the Cuban cause. These stories created a strong pro-war sentiment among Americans.
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