Final answer:
The American press, through yellow journalism, played a pivotal role in rallying public and political support for the US involvement in the Cuban revolution, culminating in the Spanish-American War and Cuba's independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The press, particularly through yellow journalism, played a significant role in shaping public opinion and policy leading up to the US involvement in the Cuban Revolution. The persistent coverage of the Cuban struggle for independence, sensationalized by competing newspapers like William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, amplified calls for American intervention.
The Spanish response to the Cuban revolt included actions that affected American property and businesses, causing great concern among American businessmen, especially in the sugar industry. This business interest, combined with the emotionally charged coverage by the press, pushed the US government towards intervention. Furthermore, the press not only provided a platform for the "Cuba Libre" movement but also highlighted the potential of the newly revived US Navy to support Cuba's bid for freedom.
The impact of the media must be understood not only in the context of yellow journalism but also in the broader scope of its power to construct national and world events, which has been evident across various historical junctures and political landscapes.