USS Maine Explosion and Hearst's Journalism

USS Maine Explosion and Hearst's Journalism

Assessment

Interactive Video

Journalism, History, Social Studies

9th - 12th Grade

Hard

Created by

Patricia Brown

FREE Resource

William Randolph Hearst published sensational stories from Cuba, focusing on Evangelina Cisneros, an imprisoned revolutionary. Hearst orchestrated her escape to New York, turning her into a media sensation. His coverage increased readership and vilified Spain. The USS Maine explosion off Havana's coast, which Hearst blamed on Spain, further fueled tensions. Hearst's propaganda pushed the U.S. towards war, despite evidence suggesting the explosion was accidental.

Read more

8 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the primary focus of Hearst's stories from Cuba?

The cultural aspects of Cuban life

The plight of Evangelina Cisneros

The political relationship between Cuba and the US

The economic conditions in Cuba

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How did Hearst use Evangelina Cisneros' story to his advantage?

By organizing a protest in her name

By sending her back to Cuba

By parading her around New York to gain publicity

By writing a book about her

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What event marked a turning point in Hearst's campaign against Spain?

The capture of a Spanish spy

The explosion of the USS Maine

The election of a new US president

The signing of a peace treaty

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was Hearst's immediate reaction to the USS Maine explosion?

He called for a diplomatic resolution

He blamed the US government

He accused Spain of being responsible

He ignored the event

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What did Hearst instruct his team to do after the USS Maine incident?

To focus on other news stories

To investigate the cause of the explosion

To arouse public sentiment against Spain

To publish a retraction

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the nature of the stories Hearst published after the USS Maine explosion?

They were supportive of Spain

They were fabricated and targeted against Spain

They were factual and unbiased

They were focused on economic issues

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the general consensus about the cause of the USS Maine explosion?

It was an accident

It was a natural disaster

It was caused by Cuban rebels

It was a deliberate attack by Spain

8.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the ultimate outcome of Hearst's sensational journalism?

It led to a peaceful resolution

It resulted in a war with Spain

It improved US-Spain relations

It had no significant impact