Final answer:
Yellow journalism contributed to the Spanish-American War by sensationalizing events and using exaggerated headlines to influence public opinion, ultimately helping to drive the U.S. into war with Spain in 1898.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yellow journalism played an instrumental role in stirring the American public's support for the Spanish-American War. By the late 19th century, prominent publishers like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were fiercely competing for readership, leading to a style of news reporting that prioritized sensational headlines over meticulous fact checking. This approach not only exaggerated the events occurring in Cuba but also helped to cultivate a climate ripe for American intervention.
When the battleship Maine exploded in Havana harbor, these newspapers used the tragedy as a pretext for war, suggesting without evidence that Spain was to blame. This was a part of the wider trend of newspapers shaping public opinion by presenting stories that aligned with people's preconceptions, effectively 'preaching to the choir.' The consequence was the increasing conflation of news and entertainment, sparking public pressure on politicians, which contributed to the outbreak of war in 1898.