What event whipped up American support for the Spanish-American war?

The event that significantly whipped up American support for the Spanish-American War was the phenomenon known as "Yellow Journalism." This term refers to sensationalized news reporting that aimed to provoke emotional responses from readers, often by exaggerating facts or creating dramatic narratives around events. Major newspaper publishers, such as William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, used this style of journalism to draw public attention to the suffering of Cubans under Spanish rule, portraying it in a way that incited outrage among the American public.

The coverage included vivid descriptions of atrocities and appeals to American patriotism, which helped to galvanize public opinion and increased support for U.S. intervention. As a result, many Americans felt a moral obligation to act against the supposed injustices occurring in Cuba, which ultimately contributed to the decision to go to war.

The other options, while relevant to the context of the war, did not play as pivotal a role in igniting public sentiment. The ill treatment of Cubans by the Spanish government certainly was a factor, but it was the dramatic portrayal of these events by the media that truly captured the imagination and heart of the American public. Essays discussing how the U.S. was preparing for war and military preparations also contributed to the atmosphere of readiness but did not have