USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM 1890 1919

THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
*Yellow journalism helped create support for the war*The USS Maine exploded in Cuba*President McKinley wanted to display American military power to the worldThese are the reasons the U.S. joined which war?
A
Civil War
B
Great War
C
Indian War
D
Spanish-American War
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The American “yellow press” blame Spain in banner headlines, outraging the public and inciting the rallying cry, “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” Over 260 crew members perish in this event, which was a contributing factor in the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

Detailed explanation-2: -Yellow journalism was a style of newspaper reporting that emphasized sensationalism over facts. During its heyday in the late 19th century it was one of many factors that helped push the United States and Spain into war in Cuba and the Philippines, leading to the acquisition of overseas territory by the United States.

Detailed explanation-3: -Yellow journalism contributed to the U.S. declaring war by using “sensational stories that tugged at readers’ heartstrings to sell papers.” These papers blamed Spain for the sinking of the ship, even though they had no evidence to prove it. Spain declared war on April 24, 1898 and the U.S. declared war the next day.

Detailed explanation-4: -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!”

There is 1 question to complete.