The correct answer to this open question is the following.
Although the question does not provide options, we can say the following.
The factor that led to this last-minute strategy change was that the public demanded the Navy to protect Florida from a Spanish attack.
Prior to the start of the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Navy had formulated a strategic plan for weakening Spain in both the Philippines and Cuba. These plans were not implemented as intended. Last-minute changes seriously threatened the effectiveness of the strategy in the Caribbean due to the above-mentioned reason.
With the victory of the United States Navy over the Spaniard Navy in 1898, Spain ended its colonial presence in the Caribbean. Finally, Cuba got its independence. As a result of its victory, the United States took possession of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and the island of Guam. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the Spanish-American War.
