Treaty of Paris December 10, 1898 and U.
Maine was sent to protect American interests in Spanish-ruled Cuba. Suddenly the U.S.S. Maine blew up in Havana harbor taking the lives of 266 men. The American media stipulated war. Reacting to a blockade on Cuba ordered by President McKinley, the Spanish had declared war. During this time congress was debating whether or not the United States. should favor international expansion. The Republicans heavily favored United States expansion while most Democrats did not support expansion. Expansion did not only signify obtaining other countries, but also the installation of American culture upon foreign societies.
Document A is "Uncles Sam's territorial expansion dinner. The dinner is portrayed by a table resembling various countries from Spanish colonial rule; being chosen as fruits, spices and vegetables. The Republicans also known as the G.O.P who favored expansion are at the right with a plate full of goods. At the other end is the Democratic Donkey with an empty plate, not favoring expansion. This portrays the Republican Party favoring the expansion of the United States. Most republicans favored the growth of the United States into: Cuba, Guam, Philippine Islands, and Puerto Rico. These countries were the most vulnerable after the Spanish American war, which meant they were weak to resent any invaders or conquerors. The G.O.P was trying to enforce the democrats to have a particular desire for expansion, new territory. This is seen by the text under the drawing which says "Better pitch in old fellow and get an expansion on your self". The ideas of moving north or south for expansion were just talk back then. Mexico was too big and brought its own complexity to regulate and moving to Canada was just not a good idea. Smaller territories were prone to servitude than larger territories.
Document B is William Jennings" statement of what was the Treaty of Paris, which is America's acquisition of foreign territory.
