American Imperialism: Differences on the Homefront
In the late 19th Century, the United States began to expand its territories overseas much like Great Britain, France, and Spain had done many years prior. With the annexation of Hawaii in 1898, and the acquisition of territories like the Philippines and Guam, the United States looked as though they were going to fulfill their quest in finally becoming a ‘superpower’. Supporters of imperialism believed it was time for America to expand its horizons and once again show their dominance to the rest of the world. On the other hand, many believed that the United States should not exercise their military power over weaker territories similarly to what Spain did and instead grant them their freedom.
In the primary source, Platform of the American Anti-Imperialist League by the American Anti-Imperialist League, which was given as a speech in 1899 and later published, it is truly evident that this group of activists was against the expansion and acquisition of American territories overseas, also known as imperialism. One of the League’s main arguments was that the United States should not have control over these territories because much like them in 1776, these people seek freedom and independence. In the third paragraph, the League proves this idea when they say “…To announce to the Filipinos our purpose to …show more content…
The main goal of the Anti-Imperialist League was to prevent America from building an empire shortly after the end of the Spanish-American War and they wanted to accomplish this by reaching out to the public and showing them the realities of imperialism. Also, within the source, there seems to be a heavy bias in favor of those who oppose American Imperialism because these were obviously the ideals of the
In the late 19th Century, the United States began to expand its territories overseas much like Great Britain, France, and Spain had done many years prior. With the annexation of Hawaii in 1898, and the acquisition of territories like the Philippines and Guam, the United States looked as though they were going to fulfill their quest in finally becoming a ‘superpower’. Supporters of imperialism believed it was time for America to expand its horizons and once again show their dominance to the rest of the world. On the other hand, many believed that the United States should not exercise their military power over weaker territories similarly to what Spain did and instead grant them their freedom.
In the primary source, Platform of the American Anti-Imperialist League by the American Anti-Imperialist League, which was given as a speech in 1899 and later published, it is truly evident that this group of activists was against the expansion and acquisition of American territories overseas, also known as imperialism. One of the League’s main arguments was that the United States should not have control over these territories because much like them in 1776, these people seek freedom and independence. In the third paragraph, the League proves this idea when they say “…To announce to the Filipinos our purpose to …show more content…
The main goal of the Anti-Imperialist League was to prevent America from building an empire shortly after the end of the Spanish-American War and they wanted to accomplish this by reaching out to the public and showing them the realities of imperialism. Also, within the source, there seems to be a heavy bias in favor of those who oppose American Imperialism because these were obviously the ideals of the