Which of the following sparked the beginning of the Spanish American war?

Answer 1

The Spanish-American War was sparked by several factors, but a significant trigger was the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. The explosion killed over 260 American sailors and was widely blamed on Spain, fueling public sentiment for war. Other contributing factors included the harsh treatment of Cuban civilians by Spanish authorities and the influence of yellow journalism, which sensationalized events in Cuba. These elements combined to create a strong push for intervention by the United States, ultimately leading to the declaration of war on April 25, 1898.