South Carolina in the Spanish-American War
On February 15, 1898, an explosion rocked the Havana harbor. An American battleship, the USS Maine, exploded into thousands of pieces, killing 266 men on board. Americans were confused and upset; many blamed the tragedy on Spain for not controlling its harbors. At this time, Cuba was still a Spanish territory, and although the loss of life on the Maine was a tragedy, Americans had been upset with Spanish policies and wanted to go to war. Though initially resistant to the idea, President McKinley did eventually declare war, and in April of the same year, United States troops entered the Spanish-held Guantánamo Bay and demanded a free and independent Cuba. Almost a year later, peace was declared, and many of Spain’s remaining colonies, such as Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam were given to the United States. Cuba was declared an independent nation, though the US put strict restrictions on its government.
The Spanish-American War has special connections to South Carolina, making it easier to incorporate this photograph into the standards. After the declaration of war, men in South Carolina rallied to participate and fight for their country, forming several camps around the city of Columbia. Unfortunately, by the time the troops were organized and ready, the conflict in Cuba was nearing an end. However, at this time, federal officials in Washington were looking for a warmer area to move northern troops, and Columbia’s mayor volunteered the camps already in existence. The result was an influx of young men, a sprit of patriotism, and increased revenue to the city. In succeeding years, Columbia encouraged the growth of military activity around its perimeters, and not long after, Camp Jackson, later Fort Jackson, would become a both a major military base and an consistent source of income for the city.
This photograph is an excellent teaching resource because of its smaller details. Taken during a Spanish-American War parade on Main Street in Columbia, the beauty of this photograph is in the people that can be spotted, almost like a historical “Where’s Waldo?” Look at the way the soldiers are all in step together – what can this teach your students about being in the military? See how many bike riders are in the photo – what does this tell us about transportation methods at the turn of the century? Examine the detail of the children’s clothing in the lower left-hand corner – what does this say about gender roles and the social history of fashion? You can almost hear the sounds of excited children running alongside the soldiers as John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” is played in the background.
Photographs such as this bring history to life for children and adults alike. They provide not only context but also a glimpse back into history and a chance to see what the past actually looked like. A teacher might include this photograph into a lesson on the Spanish-American War, allowing students time with a magnifying glass to examine its smaller, more intriguing details.