1 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Expansion
and Power
Illustration from Puck Magazine, 1904
On the left is the full image from the June 1904 cover of Puck
Magazine. It depicts an eagle with its wings stretched from
Puerto Rico in the Caribbean - to the Philippines in the Pacific.
A ribbon symbolizing the American flag is firmly clasped in its
beak. What do you think the image symbolizes? By 1904, the
United States claimed ownership of territories thousands of miles
from our shores. The residents of these places had no say in the
decision. But the U.S. wasn’t the only powerful country grabbing
foreign territory. Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and
Portugal, claimed territories in Asia and Africa. The world
powers of that era often called it “empire building.” Now we call
it “imperialism.” It means to extend a country’s power and
influence by ruling over other people and controlling their land.
This unit explores this controversial era, a time when the United
States became a world power.
Look closely at this magazine cover from 1901. It is a drawing of Columbia, the female symbol of
America. What do you see? Are there clues in the drawing that relate to the concept of
imperialism? What are they? Do you think the artist is expressing an opinion? What is it?
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© Michael Goldfein
2 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Manifest Destiny
Landing of the troops, 1900
Manifest Destiny was a political and spiritual belief common among many Americans in the 1800s. It
promoted the idea that the nation had a sacred obligation to expand and grow its territory. Those
supporting Manifest Destiny claimed that American culture and ideas were superior to all others. In
the mid-1800s, this idea helped fuel westward expansion. It was used by some to justify the
mistreatment of Native Americans. Toward the end of the 1800s, the concept of Manifest Destiny
was also used to permit expansion beyond America’s continental borders.
How do you think this painting symbolizes
the idea of Manifest Destiny?
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American Progress. By: John Gast, 1873
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Honolulu
Pacific
Ocean Hawaii
Hawaiian villagers, 1896 Pineapple grower, 1902
In the 1890s, American sugar growers in Hawaii rebelled against tariffs that made it more costly to
import sugar to the U.S. But if Hawaii became a U.S. territory, the tariffs would disappear. With
the help of the U.S. military, they overthrew Hawaii’s queen. Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898.
The illustration shows Uncle Sam teaching
government lessons to children from Cuba,
Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Philippines.
Does the illustrator have a point of view?
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© Michael Goldfein School Begins, 1899
3 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Spain and
Cuba
Cutting sugar cane in Cuba, 1904
Christopher Columbus claimed the island of Cuba for
Spain in 1492, and the Spanish ruled it as a colony for
United Havana more than four centuries. In 1895, Cubans rebelled for
States
independence fighting the Spanish using ambushes, raids,
Pacific and sabotage. Spanish soldiers rounded up ten of
Ocean Cuba thousands of Cubans and imprisoned them in camps
where large numbers died from disease and malnutrition.
The prolonged fighting harmed American businesses in
Cuba, especially sugar refineries. President William
McKinley was pressured to protect American interests in Cuba, and Americans supported the Cuban
rebel’s fight for independence. In 1898 he sent the battleship U.S.S. Maine to Havana as a show
of force, and to protect American citizens there.
Cuban rebels, 1898 Sugar mill, Cuba, 1904 Starving Cuban prisoners, 1898
Analyze this illustration from 1897. Who is the main
character and what does he represent? Why does
the caption read, “Time Nearly Up?” Why does the
artist show Cuba in flames?
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© Michael Goldfein
4 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Remember the
Maine
U.S.S. Maine, 1895
As the Cuban revolt against Spain grew, President McKinley sent the battleship U.S.S. Maine
to Havana to protect American citizens and businesses. On the evening of February 15, 1898,
as the Maine sat in Havana Harbor, it mysteriously exploded killing 266 sailors. American
newspapers and the U.S. Navy blamed a Spanish mine. “Remember the Maine” became a rallying
cry for revenge. Experts now believe the explosion was accidental. But at the time, rising
tension between the U.S. and Spain over the sinking of the Maine made war inevitable.
Wreck of the Maine, 1898 Illustration of explosion, 1898 Maine’s crew, 1896
Prior to the Spanish-American War, two New York newspapers
engaged in a bitter rivalry. The New York Journal, was owned by
William Randolph Hearst, and the New York World, by Joseph Pulitzer.
They competed for readers by printing exaggerated news reports that
were sensationalized and poorly researched, a style called “yellow
journalism.” This style often featured large scary headlines and fake
interviews. Sensational stories about the sinking of the Maine may
Hearst have helped pressure President McKinley to declare war against Spain. Pulitzer
Who is pictured in this cartoon?
What are they doing and why?
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© Michael Goldfein
5 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Causes
The millionaire “Rough Riders” 1898
Let’s review! Four factors led to the involvement of the United States in the Spanish-American War.
Reasons for the Spanish-American War
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Fun fact! Why was it called “yellow journalism.?” Both New York newspapers ran
a popular cartoon called The Yellow Kid. The main character was a young boy
named Mickey Duggan, who wore a yellow hand-me-down nightshirt that once
belonged to his sister. Mickey’s head was shaved because he had lice. (In urban
ghettos at that time bald children were a common sight.) Mickey’s words
were written in slang and often appeared on his nightshirt. The
cartoonist, Richard Outcault, portrayed The Yellow Kid as happy and fun loving,
but used him to draw attention to the city’s racial issues, poverty, and crime.
Who am I?
In May 1898, I resigned my job as Assistant
Secretary of the Navy to join the
volunteer cavalry. I was made a Lt. Colonel
and became second in command of a group that
came to be known as the “Rough Riders.” Our
ranks were made up of men who were miners,
outdoorsmen, ranchers, football players, bakers,
doctors, and sheriffs. A few were millionaires
looking for excitement. We fought in several
battles, including a place known as San Juan Hill.
I later went on to become famous for another
reason. What is my name?
_________________________ © Michael Goldfein
6 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
World Power Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders 1898
The Philippines Guam
Made up of more The largest of the
than 7,000 islands. Mariana Islands. It
It had been a Pacific had been a Spanish
Spanish colony since Ocean colony since the
the mid-1500s. mid-1500s
Manila Hagåtña
War was formally declared between the United
States and Spain on April 25, 1898, but the first
fighting did not take place in Cuba! On April 1st,
Commodore George Dewey sailed a fleet of U.S.
warships into Manila Bay in the Philippines. The
squadron of Spanish naval vessels stationed
there was poorly armored, not well maintained,
and was no match for America’s modern steel
battleships. Within hours, the entire Spanish
fleet was either sunk or captured without the
Dewey loss of a single American life. Battle of Manila Bay, 1898
Cubans in trenches African American soldiers, U.S. 9th Cavalry U.S. soldiers firing guns
Fighting in Cuba was also quick and decisive, lasting less than four months. About 400 Americans died
in battle, but nearly 2,000 were killed by tropical diseases such as Yellow Fever. Theodore Roosevelt
led the Rough Riders in battle charges up Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill. He became a national hero.
Soundly defeated, the Spanish sought a peace treaty. Cuba gained its independence. The U.S. gained
possession of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. After the war, the U.S. became a world power.
Results of the Spanish- American War
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© Michael Goldfein
7 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Review
Illustration, Uncle Sam, 1897
United
States
Asia
Pacific
Atlantic
Africa ... Ocean
Ocean
Indian
Ocean
Locate and Label: Cuba The Philippines Puerto Rico Guam
Reasons for the Results of the
Spanish American War Spanish American War
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© Michael Goldfein
8 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Forceful Diplomacy
President Theodore Roosevelt, 1904
Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901, following the assassination of William McKinley.
The United States had become a world power, and Roosevelt believed the nation should use that
power to shape events in the Western Hemisphere. He developed a new policy allowing the U.S.
to police this part of the world using military force. We call that policy the Roosevelt Corollary
to the Monroe Doctrine. (The 1823 Monroe Doctrine simply said that European nations had to
stop all efforts to colonize North and South America.) The Roosevelt Corollary said that the U.S.
has the right to interfere in the economic matters of nations in the Americas. And, that
the U.S. may use “police powers” involving disputes in the Americas.
Roosevelt’s motto regarding diplomacy was, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
Analyze this illustration from 1905.
Who is the main character? How is
he dressed? What is the message?
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What are the main ideas of ________________________________
the Roosevelt Corollary? ________________________________
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© Michael Goldfein W.A. Rogers, 1904
9 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Panama Canal
Gatun Locks, 1913
Panama GATUN LOCKS
From 1821-1903,
United
States Panama was part MIRAFLORES
Atlantic
Ocean of Colombia LOCKS
Pacific
Ocean
Panama LAKE GATUN
Canal
The French began construction of the Panama Canal in 1881 but gave up a decade and a half
later due to construction problems and tropical disease. After becoming president, Theodore
Roosevelt wanted the canal completed. The nation of Colombia controlled Panama. In 1903,
President Roosevelt attempted to negotiate a construction agreement with Colombia, but that
nation refused. Roosevelt urged Panama’s citizens to revolt and he sent warships to Panama City
to support the independence movement. Colombia backed down within hours, and the nation of
Panama was born. The 50-mile long canal was completed in 1913.
Roosevelt operates
Digging canal, 1910 steam shovel during visit, 1906 Building Gatun Locks, 1910
Panorama, 1913
How did President Roosevelt use “Big Stick Diplomacy”?
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© Michael Goldfein
10 1890-1913 The Spanish-American War and American Imperialism
Why Build a Canal?
Panorama – construction of the Miraflores Locks, 1913
New York to A lock is a water-filled
San Francisco chamber used
North via Panama Canal to raise and
America 5,257 miles
via Strait of
lower ships.
Magellan Nearly
22 days 13,117 miles 14,000 ships
Atlantic
cross the canal each
Pacific
Ocean Ocean year. The average
South
America one-way toll is
59 days $450,000.
Lake
Strait of Gatun
Atlantic Pacific
Magellan Gatun Locks Miraflores Locks
Ocean Ocean
To cross the Panama Canal, ships must be raised 85 feet above sea level and then lowered back
down as they near the other side. This is accomplished with the use of locks. Locks have huge
steel gates on both sides that can be opened and closed. Once a ship is inside the lock, the
water can be raised or lowered. There are twelve pairs of locks in the Panama Canal and each
one holds 52 million gallons of water. It takes ships 8-10 hours to cross the 51-mile-long canal.
Gatun Lock construction, 1906 Roosevelt’s Rough Diggers, 1906
Analyze the cartoon titled, Roosevelt’s Rough Diggers. What message was the
artist sending about President Roosevelt’s desire to build the Panama Canal?
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© Michael Goldfein
