Final answer:
Before the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine, America's anger towards Spain was stirred by economic interests in Cuba, sensationalist yellow journalism, and Spain's weakening grip on its colony. The American press's immediate blame on Spain for the Maine's explosion galvanized public opinion towards war, despite later evidence suggesting the cause was accidental.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine, America was already angry at Spain due to a combination of factors including economic interest, sensationalist journalism, and Spain's declining control over Cuba. In 1898, instability in Cuba, where the U.S. had significant business investments, particularly in the sugar industry, and the Cuban revolutionaries' appeals for independence had caused concern within the McKinley administration. This prompted the deployment of the Maine to protect U.S. interests.
The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898, was immediately blamed on the Spanish by the American press, fueling animosity and becoming a rallying cry for war. Essentially, the American public's desire for intervention was stoked by yellow journalism which claimed that the explosion was a Spanish attack. Investigations much later suggested the explosion was likely accidental, caused by an internal combustion related to the ship's stored fuel. Despite these findings, the sentiment of the time was dominated by the call to 'Remember the Maine!' and the drive for retaliation against Spain, eventually contributing to the start of the Spanish-American War.