Final answer:
The South wanted to purchase Cuba from Spain to strengthen slavery, gain economic and strategic advantages, and expand American influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The South wanted to purchase Cuba from Spain for several reasons. One significant reason was the belief that acquiring Cuba would strengthen the institution of slavery in the South. Many Southern states were dependent on slavery for their economy, and they saw Cuba as a potential source of new slave territories.
Furthermore, the South believed that owning Cuba would provide them with a strategic advantage in terms of trade and security. Cuba was a valuable sugar-producing region, and Southern states wanted to control its resources.
Lastly, some Southern leaders saw the annexation of Cuba as a way to expand American influence and fulfill the idea of Manifest Destiny. They believed that the United States had a right to expand and control territories in the Western Hemisphere.
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