United States a world power
Steps were taken at once to give the people of Cuba a government of their own. The island was made a republic. The constitution, drawn up somewhat like our own, was adopted by the people of Cuba, February 21, 1902. The United States did much to help the people before it withdrew from the island in 1902 and left the Cubans to rule themselves. Conditions have rapidly improved. In 1894, under Spanish rule, there were only about 900 public schools, and, even including the 700 private schools, only about 60,000 pupils were on the rolls. Six years later, under American rule, there were 3,550 public schools, with 172,000 pupils enrolled. By the conduct of their government the Cubans are justifying the confidence the American people had in them.
THE BATTLE OF SANTIAGO
As a result of the war Guam and Porto Rico also became American possessions. This was the beginning of American territorial expansion. The United States took its place among the great world powers, and has since played an important part in the affairs of nations.
McKinley shot by an anarchist in 1901
184. McKinley Assassinated. President McKinley did not live to see the results of self-government in Cuba. Shortly after his election to a second term as president, he was shot by an anarchist, while the guest of the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo in September, 1901. After a week of patient suffering, watched with painful anxiety by the people, William McKinley, our third martyr president, passed away.
SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL
The Leading Facts. 1. William McKinley was born in Ohio. 2. He went to college at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and afterwards taught school. 3. Enlisted as a private in 1861 and won praise and promotion for bravery in fighting for the Union. 4. After the war he studied law and opened an office in Canton, Ohio. 5. Was a good speaker and was sent to Congress at Washington for seven terms. 6. Twice governor of Ohio, he was elected president of the United States in 1896. 7. The Cubans had revolted many times against Spanish oppression and now rose again. 8. The Americans sympathized with the suffering Cubans; Congress voted fifty thousand dollars for relief work. 9. The United States battleship Maine blown up in Havana Harbor. 10. Spain declared war against the United States. 11. Admiral George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet at Manila in the Philippine Islands. 12. American forces, among them the Rough Riders, attacked the Spanish in Cuba. 13. American fleet destroyed the Spanish fleet at Santiago. 14. Peace proposals came from Spain and the treaty of peace was signed in December, 1898. 15. The United States bought the Philippines from Spain, the Hawaiian Islands were annexed, and Cuba became a republic. 16. Guam and Porto Rico also became American possessions. 17. Conditions in former Spanish possessions greatly improved. 18. McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist while he was the guest of the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, in September, 1901 and died soon after.