In 1898, a conflict between the United States and Spain broke out, in which the U.S. supported the Cubans' fight for independence. Causes of war include: jigoism spreading, yellow press, De Lome Letter, the sinking of Maine, and the Teller Amendment. Jigoism was an intense form of nationalism calling for an agressive foreing policy. Yellow press is biased and often false journalism. The De Lome Letter was a letter that was accidently leaked by the Spanish ambassador, Dupuy de Lome, that insults President McKinley in this document. He accused America of being weak. February 15, 1898, battleship Maine exploded while docked at arbor of Havana, Cuba. The ship was originally sent by President McKinley to protect the American citizens and property. U.S. declared Cuba free from Spain in the Teller Amendment, but this amendment disclaimed any American intention to annex Cuba. The Platt Amendment was an amendment to the Cuban constitution that allowed the United States to intervene in Cuba and gave the United States control of the naval base at Guantanamo Bay. The Philippine-American War arose when the US tried to annex this Pacific Island chain.