Spanish-Cuban War

The height of the aggressive exchange between Pulitzer and W.R. is
often marked by their involvement as journalists in Spanish-Cuban War affairs.

In the late 19th century, Cuba's revolutionary movement as a colony of Spain intensified.

Most Americans supported Cuba in their endeavors—including Pulitzer and W.R., who harshly enforced their anti-Spanish sentiments on the public, therefore exacerbating the issue.

"The Big Type War of the Yellow Kids." Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Sinking The Maine

As American support for Cuba increased,The Maine, a U.S. battleship, was sent preemptively to ease any growing tension the U.S. had with Spain. In 1898, however, the ship sunk with an explosion.

The New York World

The New York Journal

Photos courtesy of Latin American Studies.

Power of the Press
on the Public

Both The Journal and The World published
stories on Spain's treachery and blamed them
for the sunken ship.

Meanwhile, other newspapers were significantly less direct with their stories, and only published solid facts during this time of tension.

Call to Battle: The Spanish-Cuban War

As a result of the increasing public pressure heavily influenced by the news, President McKinley and the senate declared war on Spain, thus resulting in the Spanish-Cuban War.

New York Journal

Encounters with International Affairs

Joseph Pulitzer Stamp, courtesy of John Gushue

Through their investigations of newspaper strategies
to increase circulation, The Journal and The World gained
an unprecedented power over the public. With these papers,
they had surpassed the normal limits of journalism
when international matters regarding war arose, and
hence confronted global-scale politics.