Why Did The U.S. Invade Cuba?

Invading Cuba 

The Spanish owned multiple colonies, but one that stood out over all was Cuba. Cuba is a small island located 90 miles off the coast of the United States. Cuba exported multiple goods such as sugar, fruit, and tobacco to America, as well as the rest of the world. Eventually becoming agitated by Spanish rule, Cuba held movements of independence in attempt to free themselves from Spain. The Spanish were over ruling and there had to be something done about it. By 1880, the Cubans officially seemed out of control and were destined to be emancipated from the Spanish colonies. With Cuba falling apart, they began to have issues with America which eventually lead to the U.S. invasion. There were many possible reasons for the invasion, varying to extreme to purposeless explanations. Although some people believe that the reason for the United States invasion was the want to govern Cuba, their true reason was to seek revenge for the death of their battleship, the USS Maine.  

On January 28, 1898, President William McKinley ordered the USS Maine to enter the Havanan harbor. The ship resembled America's pride and symbolized America's "increasing world influence." "How proudly sailed the warship Maine, a Nation’s pride, without a stain! A wreck she lies, her sailors slain. By Treacherous butchers, paid by Spain!" But on February 15th the symbolic ship was destroyed; 268 Americans were killed. No one was certain who was capable or responsible for this devastating explosion. About three months later, America declared war on Spain, holding them responsible for the death of their beloved ship. America was trying to avenge the death of their ship; "Avenge the cruel blow! And crush their marble heart!"

Looking deep into other meanings on why the U.S. invaded Cuba, people have came up with the idea of the Americans wanting to govern Cuba to make profit off of their natural resources. In the March of the Flag speech,  Albert J. Beveridge talks about how everyone needs permission to govern people, only applying to those "who are capable of self- government." He stated that the Cubans are not self governed and that taking them over would create better opportunities. If the United States took over Cuba, Americans would be creating "employment and better wages for every laboring man in the Union." The U.S invaded simply wanting to expand the Liberty that America brings. 

To this day, it has remained a mystery as to why the United States truly invaded Cuba in 1898. Looking at all the possible reasons for the U.S. invasion, in my option, the revenge for their battleship, the USS Maine, is the most reasonable explanation. When their beloved ship was destroyed, Americans were very upset. With all their anger, they decided to invade Cuba. Looking at the other explanation of wanting to govern Cuba doesn't add up. If Cuba didn't want to be under the government of America, why would America be so upset about it, why would we care so much to go to the extreme of the invasion. We still do not know why or what truly urged the U.S. towards invading Cuba, but using historical writings and quotes, it is safe to assume that the USS Maine's destruction was a leading cause.

Extra Video: 

• Invasion

Extra Links: 

• Reasons for Invasion
• Awake United States
• March of the Flag

Immigration

Immigration

In the 1900's immigration boomed with people coming from all over Europe and Mexico. People were now coming from Eastern and Southern European countries not just Northern and Western. They were coming to America to find a better life for themselves and their families. When they arrived the Statue of Liberty was there waiting for them symbolizing their freedom, hope, and opportunity. America was now becoming a melting pot for all different people were everyone had equal rights. Immigration then started coming to a point of overpopulation and rights soon became unfair. After the 1920's immigration had calmed down due to the war and new immigration restrictions; "immigration laws specifically forbade entry to any suspected anarchists."
Today the United States has had another major boom of immigration come in. Over the past years about 18.2 million people have come over specifically from Europe, Africa, Mexico, and Canada. This has now led to another immigration problem due to them hurting the economy by overpopulation. For example undocumented workers have been undercutting wages and taking jobs that could go to other hardworking Americans. There has been multiple options of resolving this issue by simply deporting immigrants which may lead to more jobs, lower taxes, and a stronger economy.
Another issue with immigration today is the security. Lots of immigrants come to America illegally creating the issue of undocumented migrants. Undocumented migrants can lead to the "distorts the law, distracts resources, and effectively creates a cover for terrorists and criminals." Today we have a very strict border line lowering the rate of illegal immigrants coming in.
Due to multiple incidents of immigration, Obama has finally come to a conclusion of not passing the immigration-reform bill which means not regularizing their statues. Although immigration has put a dent into America socially, economically, and politically it has helped our country become closer by learning all the different cultures and ways of living.

Definitions:
Assimilation- A melting pot. All cultures/ethnicities are 'melted' together and become unified. There is no personal identity. "I'm better than you, you should be like me"
Acculturation- Different contributions of culture/ethnicity to the majority. Majority still rules, however there are still different cultures present.
Cultural Relevance- You can understand and be part of American culture, while still retaining your own culture.
Relativism- ethics and morality is relative to or come from your culture

Sources and Additional Information:

• Immigration in the 1900's
• Additional Facts

• 
  
• Security

John Brown, Hero or Terrorist?

John Brown, Hero or Terrorist?  

John Brown was a white American abolitionist who very strongly believed in violently ending slavery. "He believed he was the instrument of God's wrath in punishing men for the sin of owning slaves." Brown was involved in many anti slavery forces such as the Battle of Black Jack and the Battle Osawatomie. He and his fellow supporters killed five slavery supporters. The most common event that he is known for being in was the raid of Harpers Ferry.
On October 16, 1859 Brown and 21 other men traveled to Virginia capturing dozens of men and keeping them hostage. There were two ways of success for this raid. First, their men needed to take all weapons from the townspeople, and second they needed to gather up the slaves and tell them to join their raid against their owners. Obviously they failed. Time was cutting short and Brown had no way of escaping unnoticeably. This led to multiple townspeople and lots  of the 21 men being killed. Some people that had past were William H. Leeman, Thomas Boerly, Dauphin Thompson, and Brown's sons Oliver and Watson. After being captured Brown stood in trial at the Jefferson County Courthouse on October 26. He was soon found guilty of going against the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was later hung on December 2, 1859.
The cause of all this was that John Brown wanted to abolish slavery in a very violent way. Although that may have not been the best way to do it he could be considered a hero; he started a change for America. By doing so, the effect was a sectional divide between North and South and inspiring "the dispute with violence in a new and profound way." This eventually began people to realize that slavery is a wrong doing.
Some people viewed Brown as a hero but most view him as a terrorist and a martyr. The answer is so easy and obvious! He was a sick and conniving man who held captive of multiple men which then led to multiple people dying. Plus he did some other really inhuman things such as dragging five unarmed men from their homes along Kansas’s Pottawatomie Creek to take apart their bodies. He just did everything to the extreme and violently which people would then consider to be acts of terrorism.
Brown's act can be related to our modern day events such as the Lebanon hostage crisis. This was a kidnapping in Lebanon which led to the killing of people. Brown's event can be 100% be related to this everyday event, he basically did the same thing but maybe even worse!
Now you can choose, do you think he really was a terrorist or a hero? Think back to the comparison of the Lebanon hostage, would you have liked to have been the one kept in hostage? 

Links

• Brown's Raid
• Harper's Ferry

Significance of Art in the Antebellum Era

Antebellum Era of Art

The Antebellum Era was known as the time between the War of 1812 and the Civil War. It was when the North developed manufacturing (the Industrial Revolution) and the south boomed with the plantations of cotton (center of their economy). This eventually led to the American Renaissance which guided people to be fascinated with art, literature, and architecture. "The art of this period really help define the Antebellum era and its ideals." Paintings were the most common form of art. They primarily based on the Transcendentalist aspects of nature and humans.
The first art school of this time was invented by Thomas Cole, named the Hudson River School. A famous artist of the time, that was part of this school was Thomas Sully. One of his famous paintings was the Child on the Sea Side, painted in 1828. This painting is quite simple; it shows a girl dipping her foot into the water. Another artist of the name Samuel Morse painted the painting Landing of the Pilgrims. This painting focused on his Calvinist beliefs. Some other famous artists were Rembrandt Peale and John Trumbull.
The Antebellum Era had a lot of events taking place in it from abolition of slavery to the religious movements. The thing that stood out and showed people what was around them, was the art. The paintings people drew were very significant to the era. It let people express their feelings, thoughts, and creativity run rapidly. It allowed people to paint the scenery, humans, and nature that they envisioned. Everyone in the era were witnessing important developments of the art field that people still use today.

Extra links for more information:

• Antebellum Period 
• Art, Literature, and Architecture

Thomas Sully (Child on the Sea Side)

Samuel Morse (Landing of the Pilgrims)

The War of 1812: What began the outbreak?

The War of 1812: What began the outbreak?

The War of 1812 was between the U.S., Great Britain and eventually Canada. The question is what caused this war to begin or as stated above, what began the outbreaks of this war? This answer is fairly simple. The British were at a long, ever lasting battle with France. They wanted to cut off all trade with the U.S. and France so the French wouldn't recieve supplies or goods from the U.S., or in fact, from any other country. Doing so, the British passed the Orders in Council which forced countries to acquire a license from their authorities before trading with France. The British not only enforced this rule but they also demanded that the U.S. sailors had to serve on the side of the British Navy (this is known as impressment.) The British also supported the Indian tribes while Americans were trying to expand their land. After these restrictions and conflicts that the British stated, what do you think the U.S. did? Do you think they declared war on Britain or did they just sit back and let the British keep ruling them? If you guessed that they declared war you are correct! President Madison, small but mighty, ended up declaring the war on June 18, 1812.

If you are one who guessed the U.S. should sit back and let the British continue to rule, then you have others on your side. This war was not fully encouraged by all. The New England states were against it because they thought it would threaten their sea port-based livelihood. They ended up accusing the President saying the war was a pointless and costly conflict. Although there was negativity, Madison kept going and still declared the war.

CANADA IS COMING...

Are you wondering how the Canadians come into play during this war... now is your chance to know! In the beginning of the war the U.S. wanted to take some of the Canadian land. The British used this information for their benefit. The U.S. not only had to worry about the British, but now they had to be concerned about the Canadians. The British army promised the French speaking Canadians that they guaranteed their freedom of language and religion if they were to fight for the British. They told them the Americans wouldn't be giving them the same rights if the U.S. controlled Canada. They soon believed the British and began fighting along side them against the U.S. This advanced the war even further.

Looking for more information on this topic? Please click on the following links below:
(Included is a very informative video explaining more about my main topic and two sites I referred    to for my information.)

• War of 1812: explaining out breaks
• Canadians come into play
• War of 1812

Here's an additional video explaining more about the war in depth.


Vocab words to know:

• Nationalism- love and unity of the entire nation 
• Sectionalism- division based on differences