The Anti-Imperialist Voice

century, the outcome of the Spanish-American war divided Americans into those for and against the annexation of the Philippines. The masses supporting it saw the islands as a strong foothold for the country in Chinese markets, compared to the minority which believed the United States was founded to escape oppression and should not lead to doing the same upon others. America becoming an imperial power shifted the world stage, and opened opportunity in trade on the other side of the world. Annexing the Philippines changed how other countries saw the United States, but more importantly it changed how Americans feel about their country; citizens rallied around the flag after defeating Spain because surpassing the empire’s navy gave them something positive to think of after all the turmoil over the past hundred years (and still at the time over working/living conditions and inequality between races/genders). It gave the public a reason to be patriotic. If the United States did not annex the Philippines when it did, it would not have had the ability to become the strongest government in the world and increase exports throughout Asia, but at what cost? American leaders decided it would be a good power move, but did

The U.S. was filled with advocates who agreed with the annexation and with advocates who disagreed. Americans who denounced the annexation of the Philippine Islands believed that it would be act of tyranny and a decision made without consent. For example, in Document A, it states that the American-Anti Imperialist League believe that if America takes the Philippines without consent it will commit an act of despotism. The document also states that the group's intention is to fight against America’s expansion of power. The information adds on to the idea that the Philippines should not be annexed

Change in American government was imperative in expanding the nation. It is ludicrous to believe that as other nations were growing, America would just sit back and watch. Governmental involvement made "the Philippines ours forever" (Document 1). The United States' plan was to take the Philippines, educate, uplift, and civilize them (Document 2). Such a "noble deed" seemed to benefit both the filipinos and americans. During this time, as mentioned in document eight, "we had duties to others and duties to ourselves". Government's changing role made these relationships available to the

was generous to annex the Philippines because the U.S. lead the Philippines to a self-government. “It takes a few weeks of work like this to make one proud that he is an American”(Doc H). This document tells the story of the Philippine- American War coming to the end with America’s victory. Letter written by William Connor shows how the United States military won the war that lead the US to guiding the Philippines to a stronger government. “it cannot rule over vassal states or subjects peoples without bringing in the elements of death into its own constitution…”(Doc I). Document I explains that annexing the Philippines is unconstitutional, but this is not correct because the Philippines was bought by the U.S. and they were owned by U.S. “We could not leave them to themselves- they were unfit for self government- and they soon would have anarchy and misrule over there worse than Spain’s was”(Doc C). The United States saw the Philippine as unfitted for self- government and the Philippines needed the United States to be a parent government, and guide them to a more fit

Monroe Doctrine: statement issued by President James Monroe stating that the Western Hemisphere was off limits to further European intervention

Document Two: Aguinaldo criticizes America’s policies as America’s imperialistic effort to deny Philippines independence. In 1898 the U.S helped the Philippines gain their independence from Spain and they succeeded as Spain surrendered. His idea was to let the U.S know that he will fight for the Philippines real independence as U.S didn’t really let the Filipinos have their say on how they wanted to do things. He also brings up how the U.S government ignored all their promises and ignored the Filipinos rights and treated them as if they were an enemy. He then mentions how the U.S where governed by the British government and how they rebelled from it and the U.S succeeded to govern themselves. And he asks that the Filipinos get the same opportunity to

The conflict was between the imperialists and the anti- imperialists, who were both in America and the Philippines. Imperialism is when one supports the annexation of another. In this case, America annexing the Philippines. Document A was written by the Platform of the American Anti- Imperialist League. This group of individuals thought poorly of imperialism and that it was wrong to take over others. According to this document, it states in the first paragraph, “... extinguish the spirit of 1776 in those islands. This is saying that by annexing the Philippines, we are forgetting all that happened when we broke free from Britain as rebels. If we did this, it would be extremely hypocritical. Also in Document A, the anti- imperialist platform

American should not an imperialist nation, since the idea of imperialist was based on the idea of superiority position to other lower nation, then the answer is no. from the beginning of the creation of America, people, the colonist, negotiate unfairly with the native Americans. After all they built their nation on greed and hope that they would once again be the only one under their mother nation, Britain, wings. Their conflict with the native Indians prolonged because Britain had left them and support the natives while they themselves were having trouble with the natives Indians already. Even though Britain did not support the natives because they wanted to but because there’s a benefit in it. They thought that by supporting the natives

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson writes and explains all the reasons the colonist want to be free from the King. A major cause of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution that will follow, is the the King had placed multiple tax acts on the colonist to pay for the debt caused by the French and Indian War. The King also created a quartering act. The Quartering Act made colonist provide shelter and food to any and all soldiers of the King, in America. The King felt that the colonist could not control themselves and would start another war if the soldiers were not there to “babysit” them. The troops were protected by the King through mock trials. Mercantilism, as well was a factor in Jefferson’s Declaration

I also agree with your point that the most compelling reason to join the Imperialist Club was to expand commerce, trade export opportunities and to be the most important industrial power in the world. Spreading ideas of Christianity among natives and the "colored" races of the world it was just another justification for colonization and a way to have a smooth introduction of the natives into the western culture, but it wasn't the main motive that propelled the imperialist expansion.

Imperialism was a time period in which more developed nations colonized less developed nations. The developed nations took advantage of the less developed nations resources, people, lands, and much more. Many countries lost their freedom and independence due to imperialism, however, they also received new technologies and innovations.

In the early years of the 20th century a European war seemed likely due to dissent, distress, and militarism. During this specific time many liberals had thought that if they organized European states that it would remain peaceful. This then had actually led to competition which then led to many rivalries over not only colonial but also commercial interests during an era of imperialist expansion.Which led to any disputes which included land. The rivalries led to Europe's division of allies with Germany and Austria. Also Italy against France and great Britain and Russia. So many states were forced into thinking about creating an empire a army and who they could trust. Which then led Germany to think about making an Empire since France wanted

Now, we’re involved in a possible conflict with Spain.  It is possible that we might engage in an epic naval battle with the Spanish fleet in the Philippines. Hawaiian Islands provide us with the perfect coal station for our Navy and supply ships on the way to the Philippines. It is in America’s best interest to annex Hawaii as soon as possible.  If we do not act quickly, the British might annex Hawaii.  There’s no time to waste. The Filipinos have been fighting against the Spanish rule for some time now. Are we going to help them achieve their independence from Spanish rule?  If we deem that they’d be better of being independent, we will assist them.  But, if we deem that they’d benefit from being annexed, we might go ahead and add the Philippines to our oversea possessions. Like with the Hawaiians, the Filipinos will benefit from the Christianization of their islands. With the influx of American values, cultures, and language, we will be doing any country annexed a favor by allowing them into our nations cultural and economic prosperity.

After the civil war, United States took a turn that led them to solidify as the world power. From the late 1800s, as the US began to collect power through Cuba, Hawaii, and the Philippines, debate arose among historians about American imperialism and its behavior. Historians such as William A. Williams, Arthur Schlesinger, and Stephen Kinzer provides their own vision and how America ought to be through ideas centered around economics, power, and racial superiority.

First reason, why we shouldn’t have annexed the Philippines is because we have different beliefs. In document B, Providence to the Americans mean Heaven. It means that the reason they were in war with the Filipinos is because it was their destiny. God gave them the strength and power so they can expand their empire. They didn’t care what the Philippines believed in, they took action in what they “knew” god would have wanted them to do. In document D, Bryan talks about how the Americans aren’t Christian as they say they are. He says, “