What event provoked the United States to declare war on Spain in 1898?

The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in February 1898 was a pivotal event that spurred the United States to declare war on Spain. The incident resulted in the loss of 266 American lives and was widely publicized in the media, leading to strong public outcry and growing sentiments for intervention against Spain. Many Americans believed that Spain was responsible for the explosion, fueled by sensationalist journalism, often referred to as "yellow journalism," which played a significant role in shaping public opinion.

This event acted as a catalyst for the larger issues at play, such as American imperialism, the desire to support Cuban independence, and the strategic interests of the United States in the Caribbean. The official investigation into the explosion did not conclusively blame Spain, yet the prevailing interpretation at the time led to calls for military action, ultimately culminating in the declaration of war in April 1898.

The other options, while significant in their own right, did not directly provoke the immediate decision to go to war. The annexation of Hawaii was a separate event that occurred in the same era but was not a direct cause of the war with Spain. The Battle of Manila Bay was a major naval engagement that occurred after the war had been declared, and the signing of