American Imperialism and Yellow Journalism

American Imperialism and Journalism

• American imperialism and journalistic innovation collided at the end of the 19th century, creating a period of intense sensationalism in the news media.
• The US desired global power and expanded its reach geographically and economically.
• Journalism sought to increase readership in the burgeoning population.
• Entrepreneurs saw journalism as a profitable frontier.

Yellow Journalism

• Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst revolutionized journalism.
• Their intense rivalry fostered "yellow journalism," a blend of news and sensationalism.
• This approach fuelled a circulation war between their newspapers.
• Hearst, largely to increase circulation, championed the Cuban rebels against Spanish rule.
• Pulitzer later joined in this campaign, leading to unethical and irresponsible reporting practices, including distortion of events and misinformation.

The USS Maine Explosion

• The 1898 explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor prompted intense nationalistic fervor.
• Yellow journalism exploited public anger and fear.
• Hearst's newspaper, the Journal, ran inflammatory headlines, misleading illustrations, and offered a reward for information about the incident's cause, which was widely reported as Spanish sabotage.
• Pulitzer's newspaper, the World, also reported on the incident, though not with the same degree of sensationalism as Hearst's.

Impact of Yellow Journalism

• The intense coverage by the yellow journals helped propel the US into the Spanish-American War.
• The public frenzy regarding the Maine explosion pushed President McKinley to abandon his anti-war stance.
• Prominent newspapers like the New York Evening Post denounced yellow journalism as unethical and harmful to the nation.

Joseph Pulitzer

• Born in 1847 in Hungary, Pulitzer immigrated to the US and served in the Civil War.
• He spearheaded a new style of journalism targeting a wider audience.
• His newspapers (e.g., St. Louis Post-Dispatch, New York World) focused on accuracy and addressing community needs.
• He emphasized clarity and conciseness in his writing style.
• Innovative publishing approaches included striking visuals and dramatic headlines to increase readership.
• Pulitzer's New York World was the most popular newspaper.
• He used stunt journalism, like sending Nellie Bly around the world, to attract readership.

William Randolph Hearst

• Born in 1863 in California, Hearst came from a wealthy family.
• He worked at the New York World, then the failing San Francisco Examiner.
• He revitalized the Examiner, significantly increasing its circulation and popularity.
• He expanded its focus on sports, society, and financial matters.
• To appeal to a mass audience, Hearst often sensationalized news events.

Hearst and Pulitzer's Circulation War

• The Journal and World engaged in a contentious circulation war.
• Both publishers used shocking headlines, illustrations and other dramatic techniques.
• They used the "Yellow Kid" cartoon, originally by the World's artist, to achieve greater readership and popularity.

The Cuban Crisis

• The Cuban rebels' struggle against Spanish rule caught the attention of the US.
• Hearst's Journal championed the Cuban cause as a rebellion against oppression.
• Hearst exaggerated accounts of Spanish brutality.
• Reporters actively participated in creating sensational accounts of atrocities.
• Pulitzer and Hearst used these accounts to increase their readership.

The Role of the Press in the War

• Hearst and Pulitzer's sensational reporting directly influenced public opinion and pressure on President McKinley.
• Hearst portrayed McKinley's peace stance as cowardly.
• Yellow journalism swayed public opinion towards war.
• The press exerted significant control on public opinion, influencing critical decisions.

McKinley's Decision

• McKinley initially sought to avoid war but faced overwhelming public pressure.
• Hearst's pro-war rhetoric and sensationalism had a major impact on McKinley.
• The Yellow newspapers led public opinion and pressured McKinley into support for war.
• McKinley eventually supported war, bowing to press pressure.

Results and Legacy

• The Spanish-American War was a significant conflict.
• Hundreds of US soldiers and sailors died in the war.
• Spain granted Cuba its independence, but ceded the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico as American colonies.
• Hearst's journalistic actions had a huge impact on US foreign policy and the media's ability to influence public opinion.

Legacy of Shame

• The sensationalistic reporting had many negative consequences.
• Historians and participants criticized Hearst and Pulitzer for the war's cause.
• Hearst's actions became a symbol of sensational journalism's negative influence.
• The war highlighted the media's ability to mobilize public opinion towards war.