Between the years of 1890 and 1899 there were many movements in the United States of America, movements that would be daring as well as unfair. In the years between 1890 and 1899 there were also important people and important events that took place. Some of those were Presidents and soldier’s who served in the war. Such events include the Spanish-American War, American Imperialism, and Rebellion. There were also movements like the Homestead Strike and Pullman Strike, which would change the way the United States is run today.
In September 1897 the Spanish-American War was starting to become more reality then just some story in the newspa
pers. The War began simply because of a little thing called Yellow Journalism and because of Spain’s cruel treatment over Cuba. At the time of Spain’s rule over Cuba, the Spanish would eventually go to far and the Cuban’s would revolt. The revolt would be lead by a man named Jose Marti, who was exiled and moved to New York. Two major journalist papers, “The New York Journal” and “The New York World”, in America would exaggerate about the stories in Cuba leading to the mysterious explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. The result of this Yellow Journalism was that Spain was blamed for the destruction and that’s when Spain declared war on America, April 11, 1898. The first battle would take place in the Philippines, on May 1, 1898. There the American fleet lead by Commodore George Dewey would open fire on the Spanish Fleet, destroying or capturing it with no American Casualties. On June 14, 1898 American soldiers would sail off to the city of Santiago, Cuba. In order to capture the Spanish held shore guns guarding the harbor. On June 1, Commander Colonel Leonard Wood would command his troops up and down the San Juan Heights winning every battle against Spain. After the Spanish fleet fled from the harbor, they would either be destroyed or captured by a waiting blockade of American ships. Soon after on August 12, 1898 the United States and Spain would agree to cease-fire. After only several months of fighting the war would come to an end.
During the 1890’s there was an increase in Americas wanting and believing in continuing Manifest Destiny. In 1890, President McKinley signed a tariff, which makes Hawaiian sugar more expansive then American grown sugar. As a result Hawaii’s economy crashes. In 1893 Queen Liliuokalani was over run by sugar plant owners supported by marines from the U.S.S. Boston. They wanted change because they were losing money; they wanted America to annex Hawaii so that the tariff would account for Hawaiian sugar making it cheaper and more abundant. After about five years Hawaii was annexed, but only because there was a change in Presidents. Another idea that America came up with was the need for a large navy so that they could protect their prosperities. In 1890, three men would change that problem, Alfred T. Mahan, an officer in the Navy would write a book on naval tactics and advise on what needed to be done. The other two men who would push for this change in America’s navy would be Henry Cabot Lodge and Albert J. Beveridge who were powerful senators. They would both be the men responsible for persuading the government to start construction on a new bigger and more powerful navy. This would end up helping businesses in America by offering protection.
During the 1890’s big business owners like Andrew Carnegie, were starting to have problems with their facto
ry workers. One such incident would be the Homestead Strike, which happened on July 6, 1892. The workers of the steel factory in Homestead decided that they weren’t being treated right and so they went on strike. Henry Clay Frick didn’t like this so he called in the Pinkerton Detective Agency, resulting in the beginning of a violent war between the small army of Pinkerton’s and workers. After many hours of fighting the workers managed to kick the Pinkertons out of the mill. Frick then called in the states militia; about 8,500 men came and ended the argument. The workers got most of what they argued for and both side were calm. Another incident that would change America’s look on labor would be the Pullman Strike. When the economic panic of 1893 hit the United States, a train car company named Pullman Palace Car Company decided to cut the workers wages, but never lowered the living costs. This made many workers upset so they went on strike, making the company lose money. On June 26, 1894 more then 125,000 workers stopped working. On June 29, 1894, many of the strikers destroyed and burned buildings. After several days of violence the workers got what they wanted, but only because the strike was stopping mail from get
ting to Americans.
President McKinley was the Governor of Ohio in 1891; by 1896 McKinley left office and began to run for the Republicans party presidential nomination. After McKinley won he began working on his Domestic policies, which would help business and get rid of dept, which would come when McKinley pushes to annex Hawaii. He also worked on foreign polices which he thought would help American businesses become bigger in other countries such as China, the Philippines, and Cuba. President McKinley was also the first to use telephones and telegraphs. Another important person would be Theodore Roosevelt who was the leader of the famous fighting group “The Rough Riders”. He was also known later on in his career because of his persuasive ideas on Progressive movements.
In the 1890’s there were many movements in the United States. The Spanish-American War began imperialistic ideas, important people, who would push for the Anglo-Saxon belief, which many Americans believed in at the time. Most American ways of life and business these days can be traced back to the 1890’s.
Bibliography:
"Wikipedia",http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1890s
"Google/Images",http://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
"123explore",http://www.123exp-history.com/t/03764068907/