Characteristics of a National Hero

April 24, 1898, marked the start of the Spanish-American War. War is never an easy task to handle. Somebody always wins or loses, unless both parties can agree upon a peace treaty. There is always blood shed, lives lost, or foul play. If you are lucky enough to make it out alive, then you probably have PTSD or some sort of mental health issue.

the events leading up to that fateful day. Mexico established its freedom from Spain after an 11-

When one thinks of heroes, names such as Ghandi, Martin Luther King, and Mother Theresa often come to mind. These people had done a lot of favors, courage, helps, and more of things for the people who needed them. The true definition of hero is a man of distinguished valor. Bravery, courage, intrepidity, boldness, daring, and prowess in war are a hero’s characteristics. However a hero is understood to be different to everyone. Upon closer examination, many different qualities than these become apparent. The definition of heroism changes with the context and time. Heroes of the past are not necessarily heroes of present time and vise versa. A person can be a hero for saving the life of one or of millions.

The Filipino people had helped the US fight the Spanish-American War in hope to gain independence in return. However, instead of gaining independence the Philippines was annexed to the United States on December 10, 1898. When the Filipino’s had found they were going to be ruled over once again they were very unhappy, after all they had helped the US. When Aguinaldo had found out that the Philippines were going to be controlled by the US, he had declared war on the United States.

This comic mocks at the American’s diplomacy as a man with a moustache with a huge key in front of the door of China (Document G). It is presumed for the other people waiting outside the gates to be the other countries, waiting to meet with China (Document G). This depiction of the US explains the role that the United States wants to play with the rest of the other countries. They take a passive role on expansionism, playing the diplomat that watches over the other countries enter into China (Document G). Additionally, the US wants to see other neighboring countries thriving, and those that know how to act with reasonable efficiency and decency in social and political matters will have a friendship with the US (Document F). As stated, the United States played a crucial role in the freedom of the Philippines from Spain. President McKinley appointed the Philippine Commission in 1899 to set up a Filipino government with William H. Taft leading the Commission. This strive to create a government for the Filipinos, establishes the morality of the United States, playing the helpful

1909: Jose Miguel Gomez becomes president following elections supervised by the US, but is soon tarred by corruption.

1902-Phillepene government Act giving the U.S. the rights to run the islands of the Philippines. 1903-Hay Buna Treaty

4. 1902 National Reclamation Act: created new farmland and drew Mexicans in. Encouraged the irrigation of arid land.

The President of the United States glories in diversity. In May, 1995, in a message recognizing the Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo, William Clinton said, "The Fifth of May offers all of us a chance to celebrate the cultural diversity that helps to make our nation great." A few days later, when he designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, he said, "With the strength of our diversity and a

3) November 11, 1918, the end of World War 1- This was the day that the bloody World War 1 ended, chaning the political, social, economical, and even cultural aspecets of every country.

This man is a true hero for his outstanding achievements. But this man’s achievements were not all on the field but they were off the field as well. This hero served in the army reserves for six years until 1954. Also he was on a trip to Nicaragua to offer aid after there was a very big earthquake there. This hero is Roberto Clemente.

All of the events that happened in the time period of 1899-1902 were all because two countries wanted the same thing (freedom for the Philippines from American Imperialism) but in different ways.Imperialism is the building of empires in other countries by controlling their politics and economics. In the year 1899 the Philippines were under American Imperialism. William McKinley was America's President during this time period and since he did not grant the freedom of the Philippines he started the Philippine-American War. When President Emilio Aguinaldo heard about McKinley's decision he wrote this article explaining how he felt about America's Imperialism. Spread out all over America his article was read by millions American citizens. He did

-Then a volcano exploded in the caribbean area. A city was destroyed. Thirty-thousand people were killed. -That little stamp weakened support for the Nicaragua canal. The Senate passed a bill for a Panama canal,

 1942: Occupied by the Japanese  1945: Liberated by American and Filipino forces  1946: Attained independency and founded a democracy

After the war ended in 1902, United States was on a mission to repair the damages that the Philippines had endured; they wanted to win back the trust of its people. President McKinley created laws that gave the Philippines some of the same provisions as America regarding government structure. According to Sonia M. Zaide, an expert Filipino historian, the Philippines was on its way to rebuilding itself: