The Rough Riders :: essays papers

The prepare RidersTo struggleds the end of the nineteenth century, William McKinley defeatedGrover Cleveland for the presidency and there was a ample advertize for theUnited States of America to expand beyond its continental boarders.(Lorant, p. 281) With an fanaticism for a new urge for internationalManifest Destiny, the American lot wanted to match Europes imperialpower by making Americas weight felt around the world. (Boger p.714)The conclusion of expansionism was felt in the Pacific Ocean with theoccupation of the Hawaiian Islands and Guam, and the most famousexample of Americas enthusiasm for international assertiveness came inthe Caribbean with the state of war for Cuban independence against Spain. (Bogerp.714) The Spanish-American war was a war that make the United Statesemerge as a world power and has horse 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 highe stmatters, carried on with mag nificent intelligence and spirit,favored by the fortune which loves the brave. (Lorant, p. 297) Wordsthat real captured the feelings of all Americans at the time. In theAmerican populates eyes, the war was not won by political jargon or adecisive Naval campaign, but by a rugged police lieutenant Col championl 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 surge 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 do them one ofthe most popular fighting forces in American history. currently after McKinleys presidential victory in 1896, he plantTheodore Roosevelt to the office of Assistant Secretary of the Navyunder John D. Long. (Lorant, p. 281) The master(preno minal) problems of the timewere the occupation of Cuba 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 humanitarian 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) other reason was geo-political.