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Who is the figure?
What is going on?
This cartoon is based off of what famous aphorism or
saying?
What is the message of this cartoon?
Does this cartoonist support war with Spain?
Warm-up
U.S. Imperialism abroad
U.S. First Contact with Japan: 1853
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Begins w/Commodore Matthew
Perry’s visit
Perry comes with “black ships” and
forces Japan to open up trade with
the U.S. or else force would be used
Japan quickly sees the technological
gap as a threat
Begins to adopt Western ways via
Meiji Restoration
Builds up a modern economy & navy
by 1900
Seward’s Folly
Seward's Folly (Seward’s
Icebox)-Secretary of State
William H. Seward purchased
Alaska for $7.2 million from
Russia in 1867. That’s 2 cents
per acre!
However, the whole bargain was
ridiculed by Congress and not
held in high esteem by the
public. With the Klondike
Gold Rush of 1898 however,
Alaska will soon be seen as a
valuable purchase.
The Annexation of Hawaii
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In 1893, a small group of
sugar and pineapple-growing
businessmen, backed by the
U.S. military, deposed Hawaii's
queen, seized 1.75 million
acres of land, and conspired
for U.S. annexation of the
islands, which was achieved in
1898. Hawaii became a state
in 1959.
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Spanish-American War and
U.S. Foreign Policy
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Often the U.S. has intervened in the affairs of a
foreign nation out of a sense of “moral obligation.”
Questions to consider:
 Has the U.S. government created problems for
itself by doing so?
 Do nations have a moral obligation toward one
another?
 How has U.S. foreign policy changed over the last
100 years regarding this issue?
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (1898)
Causes of the War:
 1. Despotic Spanish rule over Cuba
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◦ A. Spain denied civil liberties & political rights
◦ B. Levied heavy taxes – restricted foreign trade
◦ C. Ruthlessly suppressed rebellions
◦ D. Spain finally abolished slavery in 1886
◦ E. Economic depression brings another
revolt for INDEPENDENCE
2. American Humanitarianism & sympathy
A. Sympathized with desire for independence
 B. Outraged when over 200,000 Cubans died in
concentration camps of hunger and disease
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3. ECONOMIC INTERESTS
A. American merchants traded with Cuba to the
amount of $100 Million a year
 B. American investors placed $50 million in
sugar and tobacco plantations.
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4. “Yellow Journalism”
A. William Randolph Hearst – NY Journal
 B. Joseph Pulitzer – New York World
 C. Both Newspapers sought to increase
circulation by sensationalized news stories.
Hearst’s Journal printed the Delome Letter
Spanish ambassador calls McKinley “weak”
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William R. Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer
Pulitzer vs. Hearst
De Lome Letter
5. Sinking of the Maine – Feb 1898
A. American battleship visiting Cuba blown up
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260 Americans killed
 B. Cause: probably fire in a coal bin
 C. But, American public goaded on by the
Yellow Press – blames SPAIN
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The Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine
To protect American citizens
and interests in Cuba,
Pres. McKinley sends the
U.S.S. Maine to Cuba
USS Maine
explodes in
Havana harbor
Congress declares war
on Spain, but will not
annex Cuba
(Teller Amendment)
Newspapers
blame Spain
“Remember the
Maine!”
Sensationalism – Yellow Journalism
Yellow Journalism
• Read the yellow journalism handout and write the
answers to the following questions on an individual
sheet of paper.
1. What is it?
2. Why was it used?
3. How did it get its name?
4. Who used it?
5. When was it used?
6. Do you think it still exists today in
journalism?
Spanish-American War – Yellow Journalism
In the chart, rewrite the headlines below in the style of
yellow journalism. Remember, you want each title
to include alarming or sensational words that would
prompt people to buy the paper and find out more.
Event
Politician Accused of
Corruption
Dead Body Found
in Creek
Grocery Store Robbed
Local Building Burned
to the Ground
Headline Re-Write