1. Warm-Up 1) Look at the headlines for this newspaper.
2) What do you notice about the headlines?
3) Rewrite the headlines (and subtitles) to make them less sensational?

2. The Spanish- American War

3. Why did the US go to war with Spain?
US heavily invested in Cuba (sugar, mines, railroads)
Cuban rebels declared independence – US initially declares neutrality
***War leads to America being an imperial power***

4. What is yellow journalism?
News stories that were sensational, bias and often made up
Yellow journalism helped generate support in the US for Cuban rebels
Turn and Talk: Does this still happen today? Examples?

5. USS Maine
President McKinley tries to negotiate a peace – USS Maine off the Cuban coast
USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor, No one know why
Yellow Journalism leads to Jingoism – aggressive nationalism
Congress declares war

6. What does this picture tell us about the USS Maine?

7. How do you think that this picture affected Americans?

8. America at War Spain and US fight on 2 fronts (Pacific and Atlantic)
In the Pacific US quickly dominated and captured many islands (Philippines and Guam)

9. America in the Atlantic
US Army was made up of a lot of volunteers. (Cowboys, miners, police officers)
The “Rough Riders” and Theodore Roosevelt fight in Cuba
US captures Cuba and Puerto Rico and wins the war

10. Groups Discussion Time - Connecting Ideas
In your groups:
What other ways could Yellow Journalism be used to influence a group of people?
What role could yellow journalism play in Imperialism?
Create a Yellow Journalism style headline pertaining to something that happens here at the school

11. What was the Platt Amendment? (optional)
After US wins the war it promises Cuba its independence (Puerto Rico?)
US Keeps P.R., Philippines and Guam for itself (imperialism)
Platt Amendment was attached to Cuban constitution giving America right to protect Cuba and “keep order”
Basically made Cuba a protectorate of US

12. Today’s Activity – Yellow Journalism
Part 1:
In your groups you are going to receive an article from a current event
You are to change the title and information to reflect yellow journalism tendencies (sensational stories, great exaggerations, fire up the reader)
Write your changes right above or next to the section you are rewriting.
Reflect: Does your rewrite say the Same thing? Is it honest?
Part 2:
Primary Source Analysis

13. Individual Exit Ticket
1. What are arguments for or against annexation? Who do you think is right?
2. What did the Platt Amendment specify?
3. What happened to Puerto Rico following the war?
4.What was the response to the US being in the Philippines?