What event involving the Maine motivated the United States to go to war with Spain? It exploded in Cuba. It was hijacked in the Philippines. It exploded in Panama. It was hijacked in Puerto Rico.

It exploded in Cuba (1898).

Explanation:

At the end of the 19th century, the political and social situation of Spanish possessions in the world, including the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico was very unstable. In these Spanish colonies, independence movements on the one hand, and ambitions of other nations on them made the USA decide to intervene in Cuba and Puerto Rico. The USA considered the Caribbean as its natural area of expansion. In itself, the US government had offered to buy both islands during the administrations of presidents Jhon Quincy Adams, James Polk, James Buchanan, and Ulysses S. Grant, but Spain always rejected the offers.

In 1898, The Maine entered Cuba without permission, and just 3 weeks later it exploded in the Bay of Cuba. In that explosion, 254 sailors and 2 officers were killed, and although it was never proved that it had been caused by Spain, William Randolph Hearst's press published headlines that claimed authorship was of the Spanish army on the island.

The United States blamed this collapse on Spain and demanded them to withdraw from Cuba. Also without waiting for an answer, the USA decided to send troops and invade the island. Years later, in later studies, it was determined that the Maine explosion had been caused by an internal malfunction and not by a Spanish attack.

It exploded in Cuba (first choice).