Remember the Maine! And Don't Forget the Starving Cubans!
Permanent ID:
12384Call number:
Bb 526 Sp24Language:
EnglishDate:
May 7 1898Image Description:
The political cartoon suggests that the United States must intervene in Cuba in order to avenge the destruction of the USS Maine and to aid in the humanitarian crisis. There is a large photograph album with images of starving Cuban women and children and of the USS Maine before and after its destruction. Uncle Sam stands in front of the photograph album and holds a large handkerchief. The caption below reads "Remember the Maine! And don't forget the starving Cubans!"During the Cuban War for Independence (1895-1898) Americans were shocked over reports of Spanish atrocities against the Cubans. In January 1898 the US sent the battleship USS Maine to Havana. On February 15, 1898, there was an explosion and the Maine sunk, killing over 200 soldiers. The exact cause of the explosion is unknown. Although they lacked any credible evidence to supports their claims, newspaper publishers William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer accused Spain of sinking the battleship. The American public demanded retaliation against Spain and "Remember Maine to hell with Spain!" became their rallying cry. On April 25, 1898 the United States declared war. The war lasted only ten weeks and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. Cuba gained its independence from Spain and the United States gained the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
Format:
Political cartoons; ClippingsDimensions:
Width: 34 cm, Height: 26.5 cm (image)Publisher:
Collection:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania medium graphics collectionRelated People or Organizations:
Gillam, F. Victor, 1858-1920 (artist)Biunno, Diane (Transcribed by)
Biunno, Diane (Encoded by)
Sackett & Wilhelms Litho. & Prt. Co. (lithographer)
Historical Society of Pennsylvania (repository)
Arkell Publishing Company (publisher)