The two late-nineteenth-century newspaper publishers whose competition for circulation fueled the rise of sensationalistic yellow journalism were a Edwin L. Godkin and Stephen Crane. b Henry George and Edward Bellamy. c William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. d Henry Adams and Henry James. e Horatio Alger and Harlan E. Halsey.

c William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer.

Explanation:

The two late-nineteenth-century newspaper publishers whose competition for circulation fueled the rise of sensationalistic yellow journalism were " William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer."

William Randolph Hearst was widely known as the publisher of New York Journal American whose main selling points revolve around its sensational stories on crime and pseudoscientific article, including its aggressiveness in foreign events.

Joseph Pulitzer was also widely known as the publisher of Evening World, whose main selling point is the act of exposing political corruption and investigative journalism combined with publicity gags. The newspaper is also involved in self-promotion and sensationalistic reporting.

Both Evening World and New York American Journal were involved in the competition of journalism practices particularly towards the end of the 19th century.

letter a is the answer