In contrast to many other states, missouri, kentucky, and maryland had a difficult time deciding witch side to join during the civil war. why do you think this was so?

The three states were closer to confederacy that the union states

Explanation:

The States of Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland were called the Border States, they were geographically closer to the Confederacy than other States. They were slaves States, they did not declare a secession from the Union either joined the Confederacy. Maryland never declared secession or adopted an ordinance and the others declared secession only after the Battle of Fort Sumter.

i would say your answer would be the second option.

hope this !