Question

1. Which statement best describes the role played by many American journalists during the Spanish-American War?

Answer 1

American journalists led by William Randolph Hearst played a major role in the construction of what is called "yellow journalism." This form of journalism featured hyperbole and exaggerated accounts of Spanish strength and motives. It set the stage for American involvement in the war and the achievement of American goals to extend influence throughout the Western hemisphere.

The guiding principle underlying Roosevelt's negotiation of the Treaty of Portsmouth was that conflict can be reduced between nations  if their is a balance of powers between nations. Japan defeated Russia in the Russo-Japanese War but the war strained Japanese resources. The Russians were also quite challenged by the war and faced significant opposition to tsarist policies at home.  Negotiation to end the war was welcomed by both sides.

The Panama Canal was a feat of modern engineering and its location in Central America allowed a severe reduction in the time ships traveled between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This eliminated the need to travel around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. The United States retained control of the canal until 1999. It was turned over to the Panamanian government at that time.

Answer 2

1. Which statement best describes the role played by many American journalists during the Spanish-American War?

• D. They exaggerated events to build public support for the war, giving American officials little room to resolve the conflict without military actions.

Yellow journalism contributed to the Spanish-American War, it had a heavy influence on public opinions over the war. Journalists often overreacted some events which eventually pushed the US to go to war with Spain.

2. Which principle of international affairs guided Theodore Roosevelt's efforts to negotiate the Treaty of Portsmouth?

• D. The conflict between countries is reduced when nations have roughly equal power.

The Treaty of Portsmouth was the treaty responsible for ending officially the Russo-Japanese War of 1904. The negotiations took place in America and President Roosevelt had a huge importance in it. He defended that when nations have equal power international conflicts are reduced since the nations tend to respect each other. President Roosevelt received a Nobel Peace Award in 1906 for his diplomatic success.

3. In 1914, the Panama Canal opened to ships. Describe the geographic importance of the location of the Panama Canal. Be sure to provide details and examples in your response.

• The Panama Canal is very important because it reduces the distance that ships have to travel between the Ocean Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Without it, the ships would have to go over South America and it would take a long time. With the Canal, the ships can pass through the canal, saving money and time.