Final answer:
American interest in Cuba during the 1890s was driven by business interests, sensationalist yellow journalism, and humanitarian concerns. The explosion of the USS Maine and Spain's refusal to grant independence culminated in U.S. intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. The U.S involvement led to the end of Spanish colonial rule and marked the beginning of significant American influence in Cuban politics and economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The late 19th century was marked by heightened American interest and intervention in Cuba. The confluence of humanitarian concerns and economic self-interest among American businessmen, particularly those in the sugar industry, motivated calls for American intervention. The Cuba Libre movement, established by José Martí, gained traction and support from the American public. As well, the yellow journalism era, led by William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, sensationalized the plight of Cubans, fueling public outcry for U.S. involvement.
Spain's refusal to grant Cuba independence, coupled with the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor, led to heightened tensions and the eventual involvement of the U.S. in the Cuban War of Independence. Business interests, geopolitical strategies, such as the Monroe Doctrine, and Spain's brutal response to the Cuban fight for freedom cemented the American decision to intervene. The U.S. Congress declared war on Spain, and subsequent military engagements, including the notable rescue by Black troops at the Battle of San Juan Hill, contributed to the end of Spanish rule in Cuba.
This period also saw the U.S. strengthening its geopolitical influence in the region, investing heavily in Cuba's economic sectors, like sugar and tobacco, and eventually leading to the inclusion of the Platt Amendment in the Cuban Constitution and the acquisition of the Guantanamo Naval Base, signifying a long-term U.S. presence and interest in Cuban affairs.