William Randolph Hearst Essay -- History, War

A. Plan of InvestigationHow greatly was William Randolph Hearsts propaganda concerning the Cuban insurrection involved in the decision of the United States to declare war on Spain in 1898? This question will be addressed in this investigation in an attempt to find the degree of influence that the publisher William Randolph Hearst had on a drawing period of American foreign policy (and Cuban domestic policy) by his manipulation of the press, the emerging medium of the screen, and the lobbying of Congress. This will be done by reviewing the twain opposing theories regarding Hearsts involvement one claiming that he was one of the leading catalysts of the conflict, the other arguing that he simply manipulated the existing public opinion to make money. This subject will also analyze the historical evidence that may or may not point to Hearsts early steps towards the war, such as diary keeper George Creelmans account of the controversial Remington-Hearst telegrams, as well as W. Joseph Campbells study of the factuality of Creelmans narrative. The period of time being examined is from Hearsts papers first calls for intervention in Cuba in 1893 to their reportage of the sinking of the USS Maine on 15 February 1898. It will not discuss anything that Hearst published in this time period advocating intervention in or covering the crises in the Phillipines and Puerto Rico.B. Summary of EvidenceOn the evening of 15 February 1898, the USS Maine, an American battleship stationed in Cubas Havana Harbor, spontaneously exploded, killing more than 250 of its passengers. Two days later, contempt the warnings of the Maines commander Captain Charles Sigsbee that public opinion (about the cause of the explosion) should be suspended until f... ... for description (New York diary 17 Aug. 1897). The paper detailed the story of her bold foe to the advances of a Spanish officer, her imprisonment in a jail reserved for prostitutes and her eventual rescue by Journal correspondent Ka rl Decker (Thomas 179-184), who, according to fellow Journal writer Willis Abbot, actually bribed the prison guards to stage the rescue (Abbott 215-216). From 12 January to 20 January 1898, the Journal ran a series of cartoons ridiculing House Speaker Thomas Brackett Reed for openly opposing American intervention. On 25 January, the Maine arrived in Havana harbor, the first American boat to arrive. Our Flag at Havana at Last, declared the Journal. Then, for virtually a month the paper was quiet, finally interrupted by the mysterious explosion of the Maine. By that time, Hearst was riding a wave of papers and power to war.