#42-2 THE CAUSES OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (1898)
Causes
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Yellow journalism: style of journalism that exaggerates and sensationalizes the news.
“Yellow journalism” in American newspapers that distorted and sensationalized stories of
Spanish atrocities toward the Cuban people
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Humanitarian effort to help the Cuban people gain independence from Spain
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Protection of American business interests and investments in Cuba
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The sinking of USS Maine in Havana harbor
William Randolph Hearst published the New York Journal: One series of newspaper stories were
about the search of a woman for information about the Cuban rebels by a Spanish police woman on
an American ship.
Headlines read:
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"Does our (US) flag shield women?"
"Indignities Practiced by Spanish Officials On Board American Vessels"
"Refined Young Women Stripped and Searched by Brutal Spaniards While Under Our Flag on
the Ollivette".