Final answer:
President McKinley hesitated to take action at first due to a desire for more information, a preference for diplomatic options, and consideration of domestic politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
President McKinley hesitated to take action at first for several reasons. One reason was that he wanted to gather as much information as possible before making a decision. This included consulting with his advisors, gathering intelligence, and carefully considering the potential consequences of taking action. Another reason was that McKinley wanted to exhaust all diplomatic options before resorting to military intervention. This was evident in his handling of the USS Maine incident, where he initially pursued a peaceful resolution with Spain before ultimately declaring war. Additionally, McKinley was cognizant of the domestic political landscape and the potential backlash that could arise from initiating military action. He wanted to ensure he had widespread support from the American public and Congress before committing to any course of action.
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