MEMORANDUM
MEMORANDUM
from the desk of
Frederick Emory
Chief of the Bureau of Foreign Commerce
In this memorandum, chief Emory was speaking in regards to the question if the media caused the War of 1898.
Emory states that the war was due to financial interests in the West Indies and South America that the sinking of the USS Maine and the press had nothing to do with the decision to go to war. This memorandum was issued in 1902 just a few years following the war, and was used to downplay the presses influence over government policy. Emory clearly wants people to believe that the only reason for war was the protection of American interests abroad and to open up markets for U.S. resources.
Although the main reason behind the war does seem to be what Emory states you cannot discount the power of the Junto and yellow press during the war. Especially considering how many sessions of our government included references to articles printed in the papers and how public opinion was calling for war. Also from the beginning President McKinley stated he did not want war yet even after Spain gives in he chooses to ask congress to go to war anyway, in part due to public pressure according to many historians.
from the desk of
Frederick Emory
Chief of the Bureau of Foreign Commerce
In this memorandum, chief Emory was speaking in regards to the question if the media caused the War of 1898.
Emory states that the war was due to financial interests in the West Indies and South America that the sinking of the USS Maine and the press had nothing to do with the decision to go to war. This memorandum was issued in 1902 just a few years following the war, and was used to downplay the presses influence over government policy. Emory clearly wants people to believe that the only reason for war was the protection of American interests abroad and to open up markets for U.S. resources.
Although the main reason behind the war does seem to be what Emory states you cannot discount the power of the Junto and yellow press during the war. Especially considering how many sessions of our government included references to articles printed in the papers and how public opinion was calling for war. Also from the beginning President McKinley stated he did not want war yet even after Spain gives in he chooses to ask congress to go to war anyway, in part due to public pressure according to many historians.
posted by G. Stasiuk Jr at 8:54 AM
1 Comments:
A very good post.
The question is: Was this a newspaper war? Did the media, could the media lead us to war through the power of the press and propaganda alone?
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