Imperialism-People to know

Alfred T. Mahan

U.S. naval officer and historian who argued that a strong navy was essential for national greatness.

Elihu Root

U.S. Secretary of War who reorganized the army and created institutions to modernize military training.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Leader of the Filipino independence movement who fought against Spain and later U.S. forces.

Enrique Dupuis de Lôme

Spanish ambassador whose letter criticizing McKinley fueled anti-Spanish sentiments.

Frederick Remington

American artist known for illustrating Spanish brutality in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

George Dewey

U.S. naval commander who achieved a major victory by destroying the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.

Grover Cleveland

U.S. president who opposed the annexation of Hawaii after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani.

Joseph Pulitzer

Newspaper publisher who used sensationalism to garner support for war with Spain.

Leonard Wood

U.S. Army general who helped govern Cuba and improved sanitation to control yellow fever.

Nelson Miles

U.S. Army general who commanded forces in Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War.

Queen Liliuokalani

Last monarch of Hawaii who opposed U.S. influence but was overthrown by American planters.

Teddy Roosevelt

Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and leader of the Rough Riders; became a national hero.

Valeriano “Butcher” Weyler

Spanish general known for using harsh concentration camps against Cuban rebels.

Walter Reed

U.S. Army doctor who discovered the mosquito transmission of yellow fever.

William H. Taft

First civilian governor of the Philippines who emphasized education and infrastructure reforms.

William Randolph Hearst

Newspaper publisher known for employing yellow journalism to sway public opinion for war.

William Shafter

U.S. Army general who led American forces in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.