Some of these Spain grudgingly allowed, and it was in part by American insistence that slavery was finally abolished in the island.
Further internal reform, however, was not the wish and was perhaps beyond the power of Spain.

Although the revolution was seemingly brought to a close in 1878, its embers continued to smolder for nearly a score of years until in 1895 they again burst into flame.
War in Cuba could not help affecting in a very intimate way the people of the United States.

They bought much the greater part of the chief Cuban crops, sugar and tobacco.

American capital had been invested in the island, particularly in plantations.

For years Cubans of liberal tendencies had sent their sons to be educated in the United States, very many of whom had been naturalized before returning home.