The primary source by William McKinley, The Acquisition of the Philippines, were written instructions. The twenty fifth president of the United States wrote these instructions on August 12, 1898, with a purpose. McKinley’s words were meant to reach the American peace negotiators that were to be convening in Paris with Spanish commissioners. Hence, his basic purpose behind this text was to create lasting peace between the nations involved. However, this reasoning only skims the surface of McKinley’s motive. In fact, the president wrote a persuasive document defending his reasoning behind the United States imperialism. William McKinley tries to convince the peace negotiators how it is America’s responsibility to govern the Philippines. Furthermore,
