<P> The US had important economic interests that were being harmed by the prolonged conflict and deepening uncertainty about the future of Cuba . Shipping firms that had relied heavily on trade with Cuba now suffered losses as the conflict continued unresolved . These firms pressed Congress and McKinley to seek an end to the revolt . Other American business concerns, specifically those who had invested in Cuban sugar, looked to the Spanish to restore order . Stability, not war, was the goal of both interests . How stability would be achieved would depend largely on the ability of Spain and the US to work out their issues diplomatically . </P> <P> While tension increased among the Cubans and Spanish Government, popular support of intervention began to spring up in the United States, due to the emergence of the "Cuba Libre" movement and the fact that many Americans had drawn parallels between the American Revolution and the Cuban revolt, seeing the Spanish Government as the tyrannical colonial oppressor . Historian Louis Pérez notes that "The proposition of war in behalf of Cuban independence took hold immediately and held on thereafter . Such was the sense of the public mood ." At the time many poems and songs were written in the United States to express support of the "Cuba Libre" movement . At the same time, many African Americans, facing growing racial discrimination and increasing retardation of their civil rights, wanted to take part in the war because they saw it as a way to advance the cause of equality, service to country hopefully helping to gain political and public respect amongst the wider population . </P> <P> President McKinley, well aware of the political complexity surrounding the conflict, wanted to end the revolt peacefully . In accordance with this policy, McKinley began to negotiate with the Spanish government, hoping that the negotiations would be able to end the yellow journalism in the United States, and therefore, end the loudest calls to go to war with Spain . An attempt was made to negotiate a peace before McKinley took office, however, the Spanish refused to take part in the negotiations . In 1897 McKinley appointed Stewart L. Woodford as the new minister to Spain, who again offered to negotiate a peace . In October 1897, the Spanish government still refused the United States offer to negotiate between the Spanish and the Cubans, but promised the US it would give the Cubans more autonomy . However, with the election of a more liberal Spanish government in November, Spain began to change their policies in Cuba . First, the new Spanish government told the United States that it was willing to offer a change in the Reconcentration policies (the main set of policies that was feeding yellow journalism in the United States) if the Cuban rebels agreed to a cessation of hostilities . This time the rebels refused the terms in hopes that continued conflict would lead to US intervention and the creation of an independent Cuba . The liberal Spanish government also recalled the Spanish Governor General Valeriano Weyler from Cuba . This action alarmed many Cubans loyal to Spain . </P> <P> The Cubans loyal to Weyler began planning large demonstrations to take place when the next Governor General, Ramon Blanco, arrived in Cuba . US consul Fitzhugh Lee learned of these plans and sent a request to the US State Department to send a US warship to Cuba . This request lead to the USS . Maine being sent to Cuba . While the Maine was docked in Havana, an explosion sank the ship . The sinking of the Maine was blamed on the Spanish and made the possibility of a negotiated peace very slim . Throughout the negotiation process, the major European powers, especially Britain, France, and Russia, generally supported the American position and urged Spain to give in . Spain repeatedly promised specific reforms that would pacify Cuba but failed to deliver; American patience ran out . </P>

Who was the president during spanish american war