What was the reason the Spanish W ar was fought?

The Spanish-American War was primarily fought over the issue of Cuban independence from Spanish colonial rule. Rising tensions due to humanitarian concerns, particularly following reports of Spanish atrocities against Cuban rebels, fueled American public opinion in favor of intervention. Additionally, the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 escalated the conflict, leading the United States to declare war on Spain. The war ultimately resulted in the U.S. gaining territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, marking a significant expansion of American influence.