What event started the Spanish-American War?A.The annexation of Hawaii as a U.S. territory.B.The failure of the sugar crop in Louisiana.C.The sinking of the USS Maine.D.The attack on Cuba by Theodore Roosevelt.

The event that started the Spanish-American War was C. The sinking of the USS Maine.

Here are the steps to answer this question:

1. Understand the question: The question is asking about the event that triggered the Spanish-American War.

2. Recall the historical events: The Spanish-American War was a conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America.

3. Identify the correct event: Among the options given, the sinking of the USS Maine is the correct event. The USS Maine was a U.S. Navy ship that sank in Havana Harbor in February 1898, contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April.

4. Eliminate the incorrect options:

   • A. The annexation of Hawaii as a U.S. territory: This event occurred during the same period but did not directly cause the Spanish-American War.
   • B. The failure of the sugar crop in Louisiana: This is not related to the Spanish-American War.
   • D. The attack on Cuba by Theodore Roosevelt: This event happened during the war, not before it, so it could not have started the war.

5. Confirm the answer: Therefore, the correct answer is C. The sinking of the USS Maine.