Overview: The North Dakota National Guard and the Philippines
The North Dakota National Guard originated in the Dakota Military Militia of the 1860s. The Guard was and is a citizen-soldier army which enlists its members as volunteers. By 1885, the Dakota National Guard totaled 1,000 men in two infantry regiments, a cavalry battalion, and an artillery battery. The governor acted as “Commander in Chief” and directed the appointments and the affairs of the Guard. Because the nation’s regular standing army was small, in time of emergency the president would ask the governor to mobilize the state’s Guard for active federal duty.
Such was the case on April 25, 1898, when President William McKinley sent a telegram to Governor Briggs: “It is the wish of the President that the regiments of the National Guard shall be used.” Why? On February 5, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine mysteriously blew up in the harbor in Havana, Cuba. The United States blamed Spain, who owned Cuba. On April 24 war was declared against Spain to free Cuba from Spanish control. McKinley needed North Dakota’s and other states’ national guards.
The North Dakota National Guard went to the Philippines which was under Spanish control. There the Guard was involved in fierce fighting in 1898 and 1899.
By Dr. D. Jerome Tweton
Source
Originally published as The North Star Dakotan student newspaper, written by Dr. D. Jerome Tweton and supported by the North Dakota Humanities Council.
Grade Level
3-12
Subject Matter
Social Studies
Standards
Describe how community life has changed from past (i.e., pioneer and tribal) to the present
Identify the roles, rights, and responsibilities of a citizen in a community (e.g., obedience to laws, the right to vote, service to the common good)
Identify similarities and differences between past events and current events in North Dakota (e.g., in the lives of people from different cultures past and present)
Identify the roles, rights, and responsibilities of a citizen in North Dakota (e.g., obedience to laws, the right to vote)
Describe similarities and differences between past events and current events in U.S. history (e.g., in the lives of people from different cultures past and present)
Describe similarities and differences between past events and current events in U.S. history (e.g., in the lives of people from different cultures past and present)
Explain why the United States government is necessary (e.g., government helps secure people’s lives, liberty, and property through law and military protection; groups can accomplish things collectively that individuals cannot)
Identify major historical events and issues (e.g., conflicts and resolutions, natural resources) within regions of the world and their impact
Explain how political leaders (e.g., Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Martin Van Buren, John Tyler) dictated national policy (e.g., States’ rights, closure of National Bank, Indian Removal Act)
Describe the relationship (e.g., power, responsibility, influence) among the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the government at the local, state (i.e., North Dakota), and national level