The Rough Riders :: essays papers

The Rough passengersTowards the end of the nineteenth century, William McKinley defeatedGrover Cleveland for the presidency and there was a huge push for theUnited States of America to expand beyond its Continental boarders.(Lorant, p. 281) With an enthusiasm for a new urge for internationalManifest Destiny, the American people wanted to match Europes imperialpower by making Americas weight felt around the world. (Boger p.714)The extent of expansionism was felt in the Pacific Ocean with the craft of the Hawaiian Islands and Guam, but the well-nigh famousexample of Americas enthusiasm for international assertiveness came inthe Caribbean with the war for Cuban independence against Spain. (Bogerp.714) The Spanish-American war was a war that made the United States step to the fore as a world power and has sense been thought of as the mostpopular war in American history. (Lorant, p. 281) As John hay hadsaid, It has been a splendid little war, begun with the highestmatters, carried on with mag nificent intelligence and spirit,favored by the fortune which loves the brave. (Lorant, p. 297) Wordsthat truly captured the feelings of all Americans at the time. In theAmerican peoples eyes, the war was not won by political jargon or adecisive Naval campaign, but by a rugged Lieutenant Colonel and hisband of outlaws, cowboys, and Harvard polo-players, more commonly knownas the Rough Riders. (Lorant, p. 295) Although the war was not won byRoosevelts Rough Rider charge up San Juan Hill, the battle gave thewar its romantic essence, which still fills history books today.Roosevelts Rough Riders were a key part in the fight for CubanIndependence by brave yet unconventional means that made them one ofthe most popular fighting forces in American history.Soon later on McKinleys presidential victory in 1896, he appointedTheodore Roosevelt to the office of Assistant Secretary of the Navyunder John D. Long. (Lorant, p. 281) The main problems of the timewere the occupation of Cu ba by Spain and the fact that relations withSpain were steadily worsening. American sympathy was with the Cubanswho were rebelling against the corrupt and evil Spanish overlords.(Lorant, p. 281) Americans attitude towards the Cuban people wasmainly on humanist motives, but other reasons came into play topush the United States into a fight. The first reason was beingeconomic. (Lorant, p. 281) The trade with Cuba, which had been onehundred million dollars in 1893, was badly disrupted by theinsurrection. (Lorant, p. 281) Another reason was geo-political.