Imperialism-People to know

1. Alfred T. Mahan

U.S. naval officer and historian. Wrote The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890). Argued that a strong navy was essential for national greatness, fueling U.S. expansion and imperialism.

2. Elihu Root

U.S. Secretary of War under McKinley and Roosevelt. Reorganized the army, modernized training, and created institutions like the Army War College to strengthen U.S. military power.

3. Emilio Aguinaldo

Leader of the Filipino independence movement. First fought against Spain, then against U.S. forces during the Philippine Insurrection (1899–1902).

4. Enrique Dupuis de Lôme

Spanish ambassador to the U.S. His private letter criticizing President McKinley as weak was published in newspapers, fueling anti-Spanish feelings before the Spanish-American War.

5. Frederick Remington

American artist sent to Cuba by Hearst to illustrate Spanish brutality. Helped spread yellow journalism by exaggerating events.

6. George Dewey

U.S. naval commander who destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay (Philippines) in 1898, a major U.S. victory.

7. Grover Cleveland

U.S. president before McKinley. Opposed annexation of Hawaii after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani.

8. Joseph Pulitzer

Newspaper publisher. His New York World used sensational headlines and yellow journalism to stir public support for war with Spain.

9. Leonard Wood

U.S. Army general. Helped govern Cuba after the war and worked with Walter Reed to improve sanitation and control yellow fever.

10. Nelson Miles

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

11. Queen Liliuokalani

Last monarch of Hawaii. Opposed U.S. influence but was overthrown by American planters; annexation followed.

12. Teddy Roosevelt

Assistant Secretary of the Navy, then leader of the Rough Riders. Became a national hero after the Battle of San Juan Hill, later President.

13. Valeriano “Butcher” Weyler

Spanish general in Cuba. Used harsh concentration camps against Cuban rebels, which outraged Americans.

14. Walter Reed

U.S. Army doctor who discovered mosquitoes spread yellow fever. His research helped protect soldiers and civilians in Cuba.

15. William H. Taft

First civilian governor of the Philippines. Later became U.S. President. Focused on education, infrastructure, and reforms.

16. William Randolph Hearst

Newspaper publisher of the New York Journal. Used yellow journalism to push public opinion toward war with Spain.

17. William Shafter

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