1. Aim: What were the causes of the Spanish-American War?
Do Now:
Answer the following questions in your notebook
Define: SENSATIONALISM
How can sensationalism trigger public reaction?
What are some news sources that use sensationalism today?

2. Spanish-American War
A revolt against Spanish rule broke out in Cuba. Three years later, the United States came to the support of the Cuban people by declaring war against Spain. More than any other event, this war represented a turning point in US foreign policy. The swift and decisive US victory in that war demonstrated that the United States was truly a major military power as well as a leading economic power.

3. Yellow Journalism
1. What is “Yellow Journalism?” Where did the name come from?
2. Who were Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst?
3. What was Pulitzer and Hearst accused of? Why?
4. Besides “Yellow Journalism” what other factors led to the outbreak of war with Spain?

4. Spanish-American War Yellow Journalism:
NYC newspapers wrote about the terrible suffering of the Cuban people and the brutal acts of Spain.

5. Why would this quote make the American people angry?
Spanish-American War
DeLome Letter:
“McKinley is a weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.”
-Dupuy DeLome – Spanish Minister to the US
Why would this quote make the American people angry?

6. Spanish-American War “Remember the Maine”
A few days after the exposure of the DeLome letter, the USS Maine mysteriously explodes and sinks in a port at Havana, Cuba.
It was not known then, nor is it known now, why the ship exploded. But the newspaper made it seem that Spain deliberately blew up the Maine.

7. Political Cartoon 1. Who is the woman in the cartoon?
2. What message does this cartoon convey?
3. Why might this cartoon be associated with the Yellow Press?

8. How does Cuba’s proximity to the United States affect its importance?

9. Spanish-American War Additional Reasons for War
Military planners thought Cuba would be an ideal naval base.
Being only 90 miles from Florida, Cuba should not be under Spanish rule.
Economically speaking, Americans invest over $50 million in Cuba sugar and tobacco plantations.

10. Spanish-American War Decision for War
Not everyone favored the idea of war. Some business leaders feared that such a war might lead to the destruction of American owned properties. Also, After the sinking of the Maine, Spain did not agree to virtually all of the U.S. demands concerning Cuba, including Cuba’s independence.
In April of 1898, McKinley writes a lengthy letter to Congress stating why the U.S. should go to war with Spain. Congress complies and the U.S. enters the Spanish American War.

11. Spanish-American War
1.To put an end to the bloodshed, starvation, and horrible miseries on the Cuban people by Spain.
2.We owe it to our citizens in Cuba to protect their rights.
3.Spain’s possession of Cuba hurts the U.S. economy.
4.The conditions present in Cuba are a menace to peace of the U.S.

12. Apply your knowledge
Did the United States have just cause to declare war on Spain? Use a specific examples from today’s lesson to support your answer.