People of imperialism

William McKinley

1896

During McKinley's time in office, the US annexed Hawaii and also fought the Spanish-American War. In this war, the US took control (either official or unofficial) over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

John Marti

1898

Jose Marti, a Cuban writer living in New York, came to Tampa to gain supporters to help Cuba fight for its independence from Spain.

Teddy Roosevelt

1898

Theodore Roosevelt was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He resigned in 1898 to organize the Rough Riders, the first voluntary cavalry in the Spanish-American War.

Rough Riders

1898

The most famous of all the units fighting in Cuba, the "Rough Riders" was the name given to the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt resigned his position as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in May 1898 to join the volunteer cavalry.