Yellow JournalismHow newspapers caused the Spanish-American War

Cuba’s Status

By 1897, American entrepreneurs had invested millions in sugar cane

plantations in Cuba, which was still an imperial territory of Spain.

Cuban rebels fought for independence.

Spain’s Crackdown

Spanish General Valeriano Weyler responded brutally, causing the deaths of tens of thousands of Cubans. Some Americans supported the Cuban rebels because they identified with their fight for independence.Other Americans supported Spain because they hoped they could end the conflict quickly.

In 1898, two large American newspaper publishers were competing for readership: William Randolph

Hearst, New York Journal

Joseph Pulitzer, New York World

U.S. Newspapers

Newspaper profits were based on two things:

Selling papers

Via subscriptionsCustomers paying in advance to receive newspapers on a regular basis

Via newsstands Customers purchasing newspapers individually after they’re printed

Selling advertisements

Advertisers paying for space in the newspaper to promote their product or service

How could newspapers increase profits?

De Lome Letter

The Cubans intercepted a letter from Spain’s ambassador to the US (Enrique Dupuy de Lome), in which he called President McKinley weak and stupid.Cuban rebels leaked the letter to Hearst who published it in the Journal.

Sinking of the

USS Maine

Shortly after the letter’s publication, the USS Maine exploded while

stationed in Havana harbor in Cuba

266 of 350 men on board were killed

New

York Jo

urn

al

New

York W

orld

The explosion was most likely caused by an accident aboard the ship, but at the time it was believed to have been caused by explosive mines.

Historians today now credit the “Yellow Press” with being largely responsible for the Spanish-American War.