What event started the spanish-american war apex?

Sinking/Explosion of the Maine in Havana harbor also the power of the press. People were/are very patriotic and nationalistic and get very annoyed and angry when their pride is injured.

The US in the 1890s was once again getting out of a depression. The War of 1898 was the start of a new foreign policy and a more imperialistic one. This war was sort of a three way way even though it is called the Spanish-American War. Cuba v US v Spain. The end results of this war is Cuban freedom and the US had the Philippines. The US made Cuba put in the Platt amendments in their new constitution, basically making Cuba to be only allowed to trade and do business with the US. Before 1898 Cuba was under Spanish rule. There was also the Filipino uprisings (Emilio Aguinaldo) and lots of imperialism. Feel free to ask more questions.