Leslie's Weekly in the Spanish-American War

Though historians have studied the role of the American press in the Spanish-American War, little research has been completed outside of Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World and William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal. This thesis investigates another popular newspaper at the time, Leslie’s Weekly, and assesses how it aligns with yellow journalism surrounding the Spanish-American War. By analyzing Leslie’s Weekly's publications before, during, and after the conflict, this thesis demonstrates that Leslie’s Weekly, despite utilizing some aspects of yellow journalism, such as the emotionally charged and generalizing language used in other yellow journals, does not fit into the category of yellow press. Leslie’s Weekly changes how they report on issues throughout the Spanish-American War, with narratives swinging between depictions of Spain, the Maine, and the goals for the control of Cuba, showing both unbiased interviews and data, while also including some generalized statements about the Spanish people and utilizing emotionally charged statements to stir the public. These aspects differ dramatically between editions, and analysis highlights how Leslie’s Weekly is a unique source of news during the Spanish-American War that does not fit cleanly within yellow journalism.