ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Propaganda of the Spanish–American War

The Spanish-American War was a long time ago when the United States and Spain were fighting over some islands and territories like Cuba and the Philippines. But before the war started, many people in the United States wanted to go to war, and they used something called "propaganda" to convince others that it was a good idea.

Propaganda is when people try to influence what others think by spreading information or ideas that may not be completely true or fair. In the case of the Spanish-American War, the people who wanted to go to war used many different types of propaganda to get support from the public.

One way they did this was through newspapers. The newspapers were very popular at the time, and they often printed exaggerated stories and pictures that made Spain look bad and made the United States look like heroes. They would show things like Spanish soldiers mistreating people in Cuba, or American sailors being attacked by Spanish ships.

Another way they used propaganda was through posters and other advertisements. These were often very colorful and had catchy slogans like "Remember the Maine!" which referred to the explosion of the USS Maine, an American ship that sank in Cuba's harbor. They used this event to create an enemy out of Spain and rally Americans to the cause of war.

They also used speeches and rallies to spread propaganda. Politicians and other leaders would give speeches that made it sound like the United States had no choice but to go to war with Spain. They would use emotional language and appeal to people's patriotism, making it seem like everyone should be proud to fight for their country.

Propaganda can be very powerful, and it played a big role in getting the United States into the Spanish-American War. Many people believed the things they saw and heard, and they supported the war effort as a result. It's important to remember, though, that not everything you see or hear is true, and it's always a good idea to do your research and think critically about the information you're getting.