US History. Causes for the Declaration of War Against Spain in 1898

 United States could achieve greater power through out the Pacific Ocean. These incentives paved the way for American involvement in the Spanish- Cuban struggle of the 19th century.

        Yellow Journalism- a term used to define the act of  sensationalizing stories for entertainment purposes- is one of the most recognizable causes of the Spanish- American War. At the hand of American Journalists, the Spanish, such as General Weyler, were illustrated as evil and immoral. From about 1895 to 1898, stories -most of which were falsified- arose which continued to paint the actions of the Spanish in Cuba as cruel and unethical. At the head of the Yellow Press were William R. Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. The publications of Hearst, Pulitzer, and their well known newspapers molded the American opinion of Spain. It was therefore their false representation which created the foundation upon which a war would begin. Yellow Journalism was perhaps one of the most notable influences on the war; so notable in fact that scholars, those of which included Hearst, referred to the Spanish American war as “ 'The Journals War' ” (Giessel).

        In 1898, an American warship violently exploded as it sailed around Havana Harbor; American response to this tragic event would later prove to be one of the most blatant incentives for war. In the preceding months to the explosion, the Yellow Press had succeeded in creating a sense of uneasiness in the United States. In response to these suspicions, the USS Maine was sent to investigate. The assignment of Charles D. Sigabee, captain of the notorious ship, and his crew were allegedly peaceful. The warship, however, would not return; on February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded, and 260 out of  the 350 American Sailors did not survive (USS Maine). Despite the lack of evidence, the Yellow Press immediately directed their readers to blame the Spanish with headlines such as Hearst's "The Warship Maine Was Split In Two By An Enemy's Secret Infernal Machine!'' .  The conflict in Cuba had captured America's full attention, and “Remember the Maine, To hell with Spain” echoed throughout the United States.

        The Cuban Revolution of 1895, the influence of the Yellow Press, and the sinking of the USS Maine were noteworthy events in history; each of these circumstances were incentives for American involvement in the Cuban struggle for independence. In 1898, American involvement escalated as President McKinley declared war against Spain. The United States, driven by Yellow Journalism, would face turmoil, casualties, but eventually an overwhelming success. All things considered, involvement in the Spanish- American War would succeed in sculpting the United States into the respected power it is today.

Works Cited

"American Declaration of War." Spanish American War. 01 Sept. 2010 <http://www.spanamwar.com/McKinleywardec.htm>.

Giessel, Jess. "Yellow Press." Spanish American War. 31 Aug. 2010 <http://www.spanamwar.com/press.htm>.

Stromberg, Joseph. "The Spanish-American War: The Leap into Overseas Empire." The Future of Freedom Foundation. Dec. 1998. 31 Aug. 2010

        <http://www.fff.org/freedom/1298e.asp>.

"USS Maine." Naval History and Heritage Command. 13 Aug. 2003. 01 Sept. 2010 <http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq71-1.htm>.