Yellow Journalism caused the Spanish — American War by reporting sensationalism stories about what was going on in Cuba. Hearst sent a artist to Cuba He sent a telegram saying everything is calm over here in Cuba but Hearst stated that if he send me some pictures he’ll furnish the war. On February 15. 1889 a United States Navy battleship exploded and sank in Havana Harbor. Hearst and Pulitzer saw this as an opportunity to make money and they didn’t care if the information was true or not.