In the late 19th century the United States set out to expand not only towards North America, but across the Pacific Ocean as well. This expansion across the pacific Ocean included SPanish territories such as Puerto Rico, Cuba, and even the Philippines. Two men who held opposing views on the United States occupying the Philippines were Emilio Aguinaldo and Albert J. Beveridge. Aguinaldo, originally born in the Philippines, led the “resistance to Philippine independence” during the Philippine-American War and was against the occupation of the Philippines by the U.S.. Beveridge, a U.S. Senator, historian, and orator gave “eloquent speeches” which encouraged U.S expansion overseas and the occupation of the Philippines. Although nationalists like
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Aguinaldo argued that if the American Nation were truly aware of what was occurring on the Islands on a daily basis then they would demand an end to the Philippine-American War. The Filipino people are not the savages that the Americans thought they set out to be, they are already civilized people and simply want the opportunity to govern themselves. “Treat us exactly as you demanded to be treated at the hands of England, when you rebelled against her autocratic methods.” He also stated that the U.S. had promised to aid and protect the Philippine Islands in their “attempt to form a government on the principles and after the model of the government of the United States.”4 However such an opportunity was never granted by the United States, instead they used war and fear to diminish any possibility of the Philippines becoming an independent nation. Aguinaldo then states that the United States went about conquering the Philippines the wrong way, to conquer the Philippines “you must begin by conquering the hearts of the Philippine people.”4 Furthermore, Aguinaldo states that if the United States were honest and ethical they could have led the Philippines with ease and had full cooperation. Admiral Dewey, a friend of the Filipino people was able to observe the true brilliance “of the Philippine people”4 and if only he “had been left alone”4
Aguinaldo argued that if the American Nation were truly aware of what was occurring on the Islands on a daily basis then they would demand an end to the Philippine-American War. The Filipino people are not the savages that the Americans thought they set out to be, they are already civilized people and simply want the opportunity to govern themselves. “Treat us exactly as you demanded to be treated at the hands of England, when you rebelled against her autocratic methods.” He also stated that the U.S. had promised to aid and protect the Philippine Islands in their “attempt to form a government on the principles and after the model of the government of the United States.”4 However such an opportunity was never granted by the United States, instead they used war and fear to diminish any possibility of the Philippines becoming an independent nation. Aguinaldo then states that the United States went about conquering the Philippines the wrong way, to conquer the Philippines “you must begin by conquering the hearts of the Philippine people.”4 Furthermore, Aguinaldo states that if the United States were honest and ethical they could have led the Philippines with ease and had full cooperation. Admiral Dewey, a friend of the Filipino people was able to observe the true brilliance “of the Philippine people”4 and if only he “had been left alone”4