Question
The front page of the New York Journal and Advertiser is shown.
The paper is from February 17, 1989 and the headlines are as follows:
Inside the masthead of the paper is the headline “$50,000 Reward. Who Destroyed the Maine? $50,000 Reward.” Under the newspaper masthead, the main headline, “Destruction of the War Ship Maine was the Work of an Enemy,” stretches across the entire paper. Under the main headline, printed on both sides of the paper, is the identical sub-headline “50,000 Reward! For the Detection of the Perpetrator of the Maine Outrage!” Under each of these sub-headlines is an article but the print is so small, the reader cannot make it out. In the middle, under the masthead, and between the two identical sub-headings it the additional subheading, “Assistant Secretary Roosevelt Convinced the Explosion was not as Accident.” This is followed with the information “The Journal offers $50,000 Reward for the Conviction of Criminals Who Sent 258 American Sailors to Their Death. Naval Officers Unanimous that the Ship was Destroyed on Purpose.”
Question
Using the image of the front page and the knowledge you attained from the lesson, identify the headlines that could be described as yellow journalism and explain how these headlines and their stories might have played a major role in U.S. involvement in the Spanish-American War
The paper is from February 17, 1989 and the headlines are as follows:
Inside the masthead of the paper is the headline “$50,000 Reward. Who Destroyed the Maine? $50,000 Reward.” Under the newspaper masthead, the main headline, “Destruction of the War Ship Maine was the Work of an Enemy,” stretches across the entire paper. Under the main headline, printed on both sides of the paper, is the identical sub-headline “50,000 Reward! For the Detection of the Perpetrator of the Maine Outrage!” Under each of these sub-headlines is an article but the print is so small, the reader cannot make it out. In the middle, under the masthead, and between the two identical sub-headings it the additional subheading, “Assistant Secretary Roosevelt Convinced the Explosion was not as Accident.” This is followed with the information “The Journal offers $50,000 Reward for the Conviction of Criminals Who Sent 258 American Sailors to Their Death. Naval Officers Unanimous that the Ship was Destroyed on Purpose.”
Question
Using the image of the front page and the knowledge you attained from the lesson, identify the headlines that could be described as yellow journalism and explain how these headlines and their stories might have played a major role in U.S. involvement in the Spanish-American War
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The headlines on the front page of the New York Journal and Advertiser from February 17, 1989, can be described as yellow journalism due to their sensationalism and emotional appeal, particularly in the context of the destruction of the USS Maine and the call for a reward for the detection of those responsible.
The specific headlines that exemplify yellow journalism include:
1. **"$50,000 Reward. Who Destroyed the Maine? $50,000 Reward."**
2. **"Destruction of the War Ship Maine was the Work of an Enemy."**
3. **"50,000 Reward! For the Detection of the Perpetrator of the Maine Outrage!"**
4. **"Assistant Secretary Roosevelt Convinced the Explosion was not an Accident."**
### Explanation of Yellow Journalism's Role:
1. **Sensationalism**: The repeated emphasis on the **$50,000 reward** and the claim that the **destruction of the Maine was the work of an enemy** stoked public outrage and fear. Headlines like these were designed to grab attention and incite strong emotions among readers.
2. **Blame and Narrative Framing**: By suggesting that the ship was deliberately destroyed by an enemy, the newspaper framed the narrative in a way that positioned the U.S. and its military as victims of treachery. The language used creates a compelling story of heroism and injustice, which aligns with the public's desire for action against perceived wrongdoers.
3. **Call to Action**: The offer of a **$50,000 reward** served as a rallying cry, encouraging readers to see the event not just as a tragic accident but as a criminal act that required retribution. This aligns with yellow journalism's tendency to provoke public sentiment and compel action, ultimately stoking calls for war.
4. **Influencing Public Opinion and Policy**: The press coverage by influential newspapers like the New York Journal played a significant role in shaping public opinion regarding the Spanish-American War. This type of journalism helped galvanize support for military action, as the sensationalized reporting made readers more inclined to support the U.S. intervention in Cuba to resolve the conflict and avenge the Maine.
5. **Political Pressure**: The sensational reports likely put pressure on policymakers to take decisive action against Spain, reflecting the power of media narratives in influencing political decisions. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt's conviction that the explosion was not an accident aligns with the growing militaristic sentiment that was being fueled by such journalistic practices.
Ultimately, the combination of emotional appeal, sensationalized headlines, and the framing of the narrative helped catalyze a public and political outcry that contributed to the United States' involvement in the Spanish-American War.
The specific headlines that exemplify yellow journalism include:
1. **"$50,000 Reward. Who Destroyed the Maine? $50,000 Reward."**
2. **"Destruction of the War Ship Maine was the Work of an Enemy."**
3. **"50,000 Reward! For the Detection of the Perpetrator of the Maine Outrage!"**
4. **"Assistant Secretary Roosevelt Convinced the Explosion was not an Accident."**
### Explanation of Yellow Journalism's Role:
1. **Sensationalism**: The repeated emphasis on the **$50,000 reward** and the claim that the **destruction of the Maine was the work of an enemy** stoked public outrage and fear. Headlines like these were designed to grab attention and incite strong emotions among readers.
2. **Blame and Narrative Framing**: By suggesting that the ship was deliberately destroyed by an enemy, the newspaper framed the narrative in a way that positioned the U.S. and its military as victims of treachery. The language used creates a compelling story of heroism and injustice, which aligns with the public's desire for action against perceived wrongdoers.
3. **Call to Action**: The offer of a **$50,000 reward** served as a rallying cry, encouraging readers to see the event not just as a tragic accident but as a criminal act that required retribution. This aligns with yellow journalism's tendency to provoke public sentiment and compel action, ultimately stoking calls for war.
4. **Influencing Public Opinion and Policy**: The press coverage by influential newspapers like the New York Journal played a significant role in shaping public opinion regarding the Spanish-American War. This type of journalism helped galvanize support for military action, as the sensationalized reporting made readers more inclined to support the U.S. intervention in Cuba to resolve the conflict and avenge the Maine.
5. **Political Pressure**: The sensational reports likely put pressure on policymakers to take decisive action against Spain, reflecting the power of media narratives in influencing political decisions. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt's conviction that the explosion was not an accident aligns with the growing militaristic sentiment that was being fueled by such journalistic practices.
Ultimately, the combination of emotional appeal, sensationalized headlines, and the framing of the narrative helped catalyze a public and political outcry that contributed to the United States' involvement in the Spanish-American War.