The ongoing revolution in Cuba against Spanish rule had long been a source of friction between the United States and Spain. The American people had long supported the goal of the rebels, and Spanish actions against the rebels. In the weeks leading to the beginning of the war there was a concerted effort by a number of leading journalist to incite the American people against the Spanish and bring about the war. 306,760 Americans served in the war, 2446 died although only 385 in battle and an additional 1,662 were wounded. The United States ended the war in control of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines