Yellow Journalism What is Yellow Journalism Sensational style

Yellow Journalism • What is Yellow Journalism? – Sensational style of writing that exaggerates the news to lure and/or enrage readers • New York Journal was owned by William Randolph Hearst • New York World was owned by Joseph Pulitzer • Both men did anything to increase war fever • “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war” – William Randolph Hearst to his photographer Ø What are the dangers of Yellow Journalism?

“Yellow Journalism” & Jingoism Joseph Pulitzer William Randolph Hearst to Frederick Remington: You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war!

Problems in Cuba • Ten Years War – Cubans rebellion from 1868 -78 – Rebellion fails – US stayed out of affairs • Cuba Libre – Rebirth of rebellion in 1895 – Led by José Martí – Destroyed American-owned sugar mills and plantations • Hoped to provoke U. S. intervention in Cuba Ten Years War Cuba Libre! Sp/Am War

Cuban Concentration Camps • In hopes of ending the rebellion, Spain sends Valerian Weyler to Cuba • Weyler puts hundreds of Cubans in barbed wire concentration camps • Many American’s begin supporting intervention

The de Lome Letter • Spanish Minister to U. S. wrote a letter calling Mc. Kinley “weak” • Cuban rebel stole it and Hearst published it • de Lome resigned and Spain apologized 9 th de Lome Letter

De Lôme Letter Criticized President Mc. Kinley as weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd, besides being a would-be politician who tries to leave a door open behind himself while keeping on good terms with the jingoes of his party.

Theodore Roosevelt Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the Mc. Kinley administration. Imperialist and American nationalist. Criticized President Mc. Kinley as having the backbone of a chocolate éclair! Resigns his position to fight in Cuba.

Explosion of the Maine • President Mc. Kinley ordered the U. S. S. Maine to Cuba to “ensure the safety of American citizens and interests” • February 15, 1898 the ship mysteriously exploded killing all 260 men on board • Hearst and Pulitzer sensationalized the story blaming Spain 9 th de Lome Letter “REMEMBER THE MAINE, TO HELL WITH SPAIN

Spanish Misrule in Cuba

Remember the Maine and to Hell with Spain! Funeral for Maine victims in Havana

WAR! • April 9: Spain agreed to all U. S. demands including a 6 month cease-fire • April 11: Mc. Kinley asked Congress for authority to use force against Spain • April 20: US declared War Feb 9 th de Lome Letter April 20 th Declaration of War How prepared was the US for war? Clothing? Weapons? Generals?

War in the Philippines • April 30: U. S. fleet under the command of Commodore George Dewey destroyed the entire Spanish fleet at Manila • Over next 2 months, US troops fought alongside Filipino rebels • Spanish troops surrendered in Manila in August to the United States Feb 9 th de Lome Letter April 20 th Declaration of War Commodore Dewey on the cruiser Olympia

The Spanish-American War (1898): “That Splendid Little War”

Dewey Captures Manila!

Invasion of Cuba • U. S. had only 28, 000 men that volunteered and sent to training camps • June 1898: US Army set sail for Cuba • July 1 st : Rough Riders (led by Theodore Roosevelt) and 2 African-American regiments captured Kettle Hill and cleared the way to capture San Juan Hill • July 3 rd: Spanish fleet tried to escape Santiago harbor but was destroyed Feb 9 th de Lome Letter April 20 th Declaration of War July 1 -3 Cuban Invasion

The Spanish-American War (1898): “That Splendid Little War”

The “Rough Riders”

The Treaty of Paris: 1898 Cuba = “Independent” Nation Puerto Rico = U. S. Territory Guam = U. S. Territory Philippines = U. S. purchases for $20 million The U. S. is now officially an imperial power! Feb 9 th de Lome Letter April 20 th Declaration of War July 1 -3 Cuban Invasion Dec 10 Treaty of Paris

The American Anti-Imperialist League Mark Twain, Carnegie, and William J. Bryan among the leaders. Anti - annexation of the Philippines and other acts of imperialism. Central issue of the election of 1900

The Imperialist Taylor

Our “Sphere of Influence”

Resources Chris Balga – Hickory Ridge HS, NC Susan M. Pojer – Horace Greeley HS, NY