What event significantly influenced the USA's decision to go to war with Spain in 1898?

The destruction of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor was a pivotal event that directly influenced the United States' decision to go to war with Spain in 1898. The explosion of the Maine, which resulted in the loss of 266 American lives, was widely publicized and emotionally charged. It created a surge of outrage among the American public and was manipulated by sensationalist journalism known as yellow journalism, which fueled anti-Spanish sentiment.

This incident served as a rallying point for the American people, prompting calls for action against Spain, which was blamed for the incident without substantial evidence. The phrase "Remember the Maine!" became a popular slogan that encapsulated the desire for revenge and intervention. The combination of public pressure, political interests, and the desire to assert American influence in the Caribbean led to a swift decision to engage in war, culminating in the Spanish-American War.

In contrast, while diplomatic relations and negotiations regarding territories were indeed significant aspects of U.S. foreign policy during this period, they did not trigger the immediate call to arms like the Maine incident did. Additionally, while European powers had interests in the Caribbean, their influence did not directly incite the war with Spain in the same dramatic and visceral way as the destruction of the Maine.