De Lome Letter
Definition
The De Lome Letter was a private correspondence written by Enrique Dupuy de Lôme criticizing President McKinley that was intercepted and published in US newspapers in 1898. It contributed to the start of the Spanish-American War.
Analogy
Imagine if you wrote a secret note about your classmate being weak or ineffective but it got passed around school instead. That's what happened with De Lome letter - it wasn't meant for public eyes but once it got out there, it stirred up trouble!
Related terms
Yellow Journalism: This is journalism based on sensationalism and crude exaggeration. It played a significant role in stirring public opinion against Spain before Spanish-American War.
Spanish-American War: A conflict between Spain and America in 1898 which resulted after American intervention in Cuban War of Independence.
President McKinley: William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1897 until his assassination in September 1901.
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