DQ: 27.

Question: What role did the press and public opinion plays in the origins, conduct, and results of
the Spanish-American war?

I. Thesis: Although McKinley was president of the United States, most decisions were
based off the influence of the public opinion, such as yellow journalism, which
dictated the nation’s decisions about the Spanish-American war and their control over
the territories gained from it.

II. The public opinion had major influence over governmental decisions.
a. Yellow journalism was used primarily
i. It is a type of journalism that downplays legitimate news in order to attract
people through eye-catching headlines, ultimately selling more
newspapers
1. It is like a type of propaganda, used to sway public opinion and
emotions
2. Not always true either or used twisted versions and exaggerations
of the facts
3. Had a huge impact on American society and was successful in
attracting people and influencing their thoughts
ii. Created by Pulitzer and Hearst- they are blamed for dragging the US into
the Spanish-American War through their stories of lies
1. they chronicled stories of the war
2. Hearst became a warhawk after a rebellion broke out in Cuba in
1895
a. Front page stories of Cuban virtue and Spanish brutality hit

III. By retaining control over the lands gained from Spain, America would be preventing
nation’s from obtaining independence, which would contradict what they originally
stood for.
a. The United States stood for liberty, freedom, and independence
i. Fought for their own independence from Britain
ii. Said that they would stop expanding once they obtained control of North
America
1. but not they are contradicting their words by spreading into South
America
b. Divided opinions not only within America, but also to other nations

IV. Ultimately, McKinley decided to keep control over the newly acquired lands because
it was what the majority of the country wanted.
a. Influenced based on what the people wanted, instead of what he thought was best
i. Wanted to maintain popularity with the people
ii. The decision was made based on the people more than the president
himself
 b. After the Spanish-American War, the United States had easily won and in
compensation they received Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
i. What to do with this land was disputed
c. Because they decided to keep the land, they were accused of being hypocritical
i. Instead, McKinley said that they were to only intervene with the countries
to help guide them
1. created schools, improved sanitation, built roads, etc.
2. although they tried to help, their help was rejected in some nations
because they wanted independence, not guidance
3. McKinley said that once the nations were stable and able to govern
themselves, they would be freed
a. Many other nation’s doubted this would ever happen
though

V. Conclusion
 Jennifer Young

DQ: 27.5

Question: The text states that the Roosevelt corollary to the Monroe Doctrine distorted the
original policy statement of 1823. Discuss the validity of this statement.

I. Thesis: Although the Monroe Doctrine was a policy of warning to keep out European
powers in American lands, the Roosevelt corollary allowed America to make sure
that their lands would not be under any European control by directly intervening on
their behalf if the lands owed money to the European nations, thereby ultimately
strengthening the Monroe Doctrine’s original intent.

II. The Monroe Doctrine was a warning to the European nations to not interfere with the
United States territory in the Western Hemisphere.
a. A policy introduced on December 2, 1823 that said that further efforts by
European governments to colonize land or interfere with states in the Americas
would be viewed by the US as an act of aggression, provoking American
intervention
i. During the presidency of James Monroe
ii. John Quincy Adams was the author of the Monroe Doctrine (Secretary of
State)
b. The Monroe Doctrine asserted that Western Hemisphere would no longer be
colonized by European colonies
c. It was basically a warning to European nations to stay away
i. This was ultimately accomplished

III. The Roosevelt corollary was an excuse that the United States created to ensure that
they did not loose control over their newly gained territories from the Spanish-
American War.
a. Amendment added to the Monroe Doctrine by President Theodore Roosevelt in
1904
i. Main objective was to free the newly independent colonies of Latin
America from European intervention and control
b. Asserted the right of the US to intervene to stabilize economic affairs of small
states in the Caribbean and Central America if they were unable to pay their debts
i. Did this because they owed money to European powers, like Britain and
Germany, and couldn’t risk intervention if the loaned money wasn’t repaid
ii. Did more than any single step to promote the “Bad Neighbor” policy
c. Other nations found the Roosevelt Corollary in a sour attitude
i. Many disliked it, believed the US created it more as a shield, but to use in
the future to strangle other empires.
d. The US would use the Roosevelt Corollary as an excuse to reach their influence in
their territories
i. Kept European control over their territories away
ii. Increased US influence and world power, also threatened other countries
 e. Like in the Monroe Doctrine, both kept out European control of their land.
Therefore, the Roosevelt Corollary reinforced the Monroe Doctrine by
accomplishing the same goal.

IV. Conclusion