126348
AssignmentMultiple Choice

Imperialism and the Spanish-American War

Question 126348 • AZ-US/AZ History A (SS301)

Which of these statements is the best historical conclusion about the cause of the sinking of the USS Maine?

Answer
A
The sinking definitely began with the explosion of a Spanish mine.
B
The sinking definitely began with a mine explosion, but experts are undecided about who was responsible.
C
The explosion was caused by a coal fire aboard the USS Maine, and no mine was present.
D
Experts cannot definitively say what the cause of the explosion was.

Explanation

Investigations of the USS Maine’s destruction reached conflicting conclusions, and later analysis did not establish a definitive cause. Some investigators argued for an external mine, while others pointed to an internal coal fire. Therefore, the best historical conclusion is that experts cannot definitively say what caused the explosion.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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