USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

[SOURCES]
What is 1 cause of the Spanish-American War? Choose the best answer

(A) An attack on New York Harbor

(B) The sinking of the U.S.S. Vermont

(C) ** Exaggerated news reports (Yellow Journilism)

(D) Deaths caused by the Spanish

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -The reasons for war were many, but there were two immediate ones: America’s support the ongoing struggle by Cubans and Filipinos against Spanish rule, and the mysterious explosion of the battleship U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor.

Concept note-2: -By early May, the Spanish-American War had begun. The rise of yellow journalism helped to create a climate conducive to the outbreak of international conflict and the expansion of U.S. influence overseas, but it did not by itself cause the war.

Concept note-3: -The Spanish-American War, while dominating the media, also fueled the United States’ first media wars in the era of yellow journalism. Newspapers at the time screamed outrage, with headlines including, “Who Destroyed the Maine? $50, 000 Reward, ” “Spanish Treachery” and “Invasion!”

Concept note-4: -Yellow journalism refers to journalism that focuses more on sales and sensationalism than on facts and truth. During World War One, there was considerable use of propaganda and yellow journalism to garner support for the war and to encourage people to enlist to fight in it.