Historical Thinking Matters
Spanish-American War: 1 Day Lesson
After analyzing newspaper articles portraying different perspectives of the explosion of the Battleship USS Maine, your young historians will take a stand on which position is the most believable in both discussion and writing.
Newseum
Case Study: The Execution of Ruth Snyder (1928)
The case of the 1928 execution of Ruth Snyder takes center stage in a lesson that asks young journalists to consider the ethics involved in publishing an image of an execution. A series of discussion questions ask individuals how they...
Kent State University
Teaching Ethics in Scholastic Journalism
Events in recent years have underscored the importance of a free and independent press in a democracy. Young journalists engage in lessons about the function of journalism in a democratic society, practice the steps of Bok's Ethical...
Prestwick House
Understanding Language: Slant, Spin, and Bias in the News
We live in a time of fake news, alternative realities, and media bias. What could be more timely than an activity that asks class members to research how different sources report the same topic in the news?
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Yellow Journalism
What role did yellow journalism play in bringing the United States into war with Spain? As part of their study of the Spanish-American War, class groups examine newspapers of the times and other texts and then produce their own...
University of the Desert
Do Journalists Shape or Report the News?
Analyze the presence of negative stereotypes and biased reporting in news media, and how this affects one's understanding of other cultures. Learners read newspaper excerpts and quotes from famous personalities to discuss the power of...
Curated OER
American Becomes a Colonial Power
Exploring the idea of America joining "the imperialist club" at the end of the 19th century, this presentation presents reasons why America not only had the drive to explore the world, but the power and wealth with which to do so....
Curated OER
Yellow Journalism
Seventh graders investigate yellow journalism and how it affected public opinion and the government during the Spanish American War. They define key vocabulary words, and take notes during a teacher-led lecture. In pairs they read...
Curated OER
Yellow Journalism and the Spanish American War
Seventh graders investigate the meaning and impact of "yellow journalism." They determine how it affects people and how it played out in the USS Maine incident during the Spanish American War by reading articles and watching a PowerPoint...
Curated OER
Frederic Remington: His Life and Time
Eleventh graders discuss the life of frederic remington and visit his museum. In groups, they research topics involving remington and write reports. They assemble their findings into a Web page about remington.
US National Archives
Our Documents: De Lome Letter (1898)
This site features an online facsimile of the letter written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States in which he criticized American President William McKinley. Its publication generated public support for a war with Spain over...
PBS
Crucible of Empire: Yellow Journalism
Discusses "yellow journalism" and its impact on the Spanish- American War.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Foreign Policy 1890 1914: Spanish American War and Overseas Empire
Looks at the development and evolution of the Spanish-American War, at Americans' views on imperialism at the end of this war, and at the relationship of this war with America's other international interests.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: Understanding Media: The Inside Story
This unit highlights the integral role that the media plays in American politics to communicate between the leaders and the public. Offers video, readings, web resources, and activities.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Why Is Fake News So Effective?
This lesson frames the controversial issues of fake news and trust in the media with the historical context of yellow journalism and sensationalist reporting. Students learn strategies for improving their media literacy and will be able...
Digital History
Digital History: Cuba Libre! [Pdf]
The rationale behind the United States' going to war against Spain was to insure Cuba's independence. Read the highlights of the Proctor Report, President McKinley's message to Congress asking for intervention, and the Teller Resolution...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Manifest Destiny: Many Shades of Manifest Destiny
A discussion of the other guises of Manifest Destiny, including imperialism, yellow journalism, the idea of the white man's burden, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Roosevelt Corollary.
Patrick McSherry
Spanish American War Centennial: Black, White, and Yellow
This site contains information on the type of journalism that the press used during the Spanish-American War. It includes a brief history of how yellow journalism influenced the Spanish-American War.
University of Florida
A Brief History of Newspapers in America: Yellow Journalism
Read a brief explanation of yellow journalism which began as a competition between Joseph Pulitizer and William Randolph Hearst to see which of their papers could sell more copies based on sensationalized stories. See how the involvement...
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Fbi: Freedom of Information Act Reading: Walter Winchell
Interesting site with over 3900 pages of FBI documents regarding yellow journalist. Scans of the actual documents are presented.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Joseph Pulitzer
Wikipedia provides biographical information on Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911), an American newspaper publisher. The Pulitzer Prize was set up by his will.
PBS
Crucible of Empire: Yellow Journalism
As part of a larger site about the Spanish-American War, this article talks about the advent of "yellow journalism" and its role in pushing the war on the American public.
Other
Spanish American War: The Spanish American War
Details of the explosion aboard the USS Maine, including photo links, and the response of the American media. In addition, there is information about other aspects of the Spanish American War.
Other
On Line History of the United States: The Age of Imperialism
Online history page containing numerous links to specific incidents of U.S. expansion in the Pacific, Latin America, China, and Cuba.