Intro to the Era: The beginning of the 1900's was arduous for the Hispanic/Latino community in America. Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam were freed from the reign of Spain and Cuba declared it's independence. In 1898, the Spanish-American War began between Spain and the U.S. This was triggered by the mysterious explosion of the USS Maine that carried American soldiers and sailed along the boarder of Cuba. The unofficial blame was placed on Spain in turn, triggering the war. Towards the beginning of World War I, the Selective Services Act drafted millions of young men to fight on the front lines for the Allied Powers. Many of these men were in fact Hispanic. Meanwhile in Mexico, the great Mexican-Revolution was underway in 1910. Its goal was to end the dictatorship and establish a republic, yet the Mexican Depression is right on their tails beginning in 1930.
*In this New York Journal page front, you can see an image of the USS Maine sinking and smoking along the boarder of Cuba. It was claimed to be an attack on the U.S by Spain when in reality it was a submerged bomb that exploded with the change of pressure from the ship sailing over it.
*The title, "Crisis is at hand Spanish Treachery", leads citizens at home to believe that Spain initiated war with the U.S and we are now obligated to fight back.
*The title, "Crisis is at hand Spanish Treachery", leads citizens at home to believe that Spain initiated war with the U.S and we are now obligated to fight back.
*In this political cartoon, Uncle Sam is depicted as the ring leader who is supporting and picking up the darker figures that can are assumed to be Cuba, Philippines, Ladrones Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii. Surrounding Uncle Sam are what appears to be politicians watching in awe, almost jealous of United States' victories. The title of the cartoon is "Holding His End Up", meaning that the U.S.'s ideology of social darwinism and manifest destiny made them feel obligated to aid countries that have no established government.
*In this image a calvary of Mexican soldiers are lined up and prepared for battle in the Mexican-Revolution. A number of groups, led by revolutionaries like Francisco Madero, Pascual Orozco, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata participated in the governmental conflict. Their goal was to replace the El Encomienda rule which plagued Mexicans since it was the previous method of government in Mexico.
*This picture was taken in a Mexican FSA-camp in El Rio, Mexico. These FSA camps were created to temporarily supply Mexicans with cheap housing, food, medicine, and protection from criminal elements (thieves). The camps were established by the U.S. Farm Security to create a stable environment for migrant workers. During the Mexican Depression, many migrant workers turned to these camps for protection.