How did yellow journalism create supporters for the Spanish American war
Yellow journalism played a significant role in creating supporters for the Spanish-American War. Newspapers such as William Randolph Hearst’s New York World and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York Journal sensationalized stories about Spanish atrocities and embellished certain events, often using eye-catching headlines, exaggerated illustrations and photographs, and sensational language to grab the attention of readers.
These newspapers portrayed Spain as a cruel and barbarous nation that oppressed the people of Cuba, which was a Spanish colony at the time. By publishing stories of Spanish brutality, the newspapers aroused the sympathies of the American people, who came to believe that the United States had a moral obligation to intervene in Cuba and help free the Cubans from Spanish oppression.
Moreover, yellow journalism also provoked public outrage by publishing untrue accounts about the USS Maine explosion in Havana Harbor. The newspapers blamed Spain for the incident, and the public became convinced that Spain was responsible for the tragedy. This led to a wave of patriotism, with many Americans calling for war with Spain to avenge the deaths of the sailors aboard the Maine.
In conclusion, yellow journalism played a decisive role in shaping public opinion in favor of the Spanish-American War by arousing patriotic fervor, creating a moral justification for intervention in Cuba, and convincing the American public that Spain was an evil empire.