Spanish-American War & American Imperialism: Admiral Dewey Military Victory Parade and U.S. Colonial Expansion into the Philippines, 1899

Spanish American War Colonization of the Philippines

Photograph

American Imperialism and the Colonization of the Philippines: Admiral Dewey Spanish-American War Military Victory Celebration Parade and New Rochelle Life Photo Album, 1899–1900. An important photographic record of the public celebration of American imperial expansion following the Spanish-American War, highlighted by approximately 38 photographs of the September 30, 1899 New York parade honoring Admiral George Dewey and the American victory at Manila Bay. The celebration occurred as the United States was imposing colonial rule over the Philippines and fighting Filipino forces seeking independence, giving the photographs particular significance as a visual record of American overseas conquest presented at home through patriotic pageantry, military power, and mass public celebration. Photo album of approximately 153 photographs, including approximately 117 silver gelatin prints and 36 albumen photographs, most 3.5 x 2.5 inches, New York, principally 1899 and 1900. The photographs are held in gray window mounts in a string-bound album and can be removed, as they are not adhered to the leaves; handwritten captions and dates occur throughout. Approximately 38 photographs document the military parade celebration, showing ranks of West Point cadets, mounted cavalry identified as "Troop A" and "Troop C," artillery and horse-drawn equipment, military bands, American flags, and enormous crowds lining the parade route. The official procession included 350 West Point cadets, sailors and Marines from Dewey's fleet, regular Army troops, New York National Guard regiments, Spanish-American War veterans, and Governor Theodore Roosevelt and his staff. One view is captioned "Only woman in parade," while another photograph depicts the first American flag "hoisted over Morro Castle at Santiago." Dewey's May 1, 1898 destruction of the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay helped open the Philippines to American occupation and transformed him into a national symbol of the country's new overseas power. Spain subsequently ceded the Philippines to the United States, while Filipinos who had fought for independence resisted American rule, resulting in the Philippine-American War beginning in 1899. The New York celebration therefore documented more than Dewey's military homecoming: its flags, troops, artillery, bands, political leaders, and immense crowds embodied the popular celebration of America's emergence as an imperial power at the very moment it was establishing colonial control over the Philippines. The remainder of the album documents New Rochelle and Long Island Sound life, including boating, hunting, fishing, families, dogs, horses, carriages, substantial houses, residential construction, and waterfront recreation. Identified subjects include the launch of "Kathleen," Horseshoe Harbor, Glen Island, the Columbia Library, and the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Bound album with severely worn spine; photographs generally clean and in very good condition, with occasional corner wear, creasing, and small tears. Overall in good condition.

Item #23763

Price: $1,450.00

Status: On Hold