In 1898, the United States fought a short war with Spain and won . As a result, some Spanish colonies like Cuba, and the Philippine Islands were questionable as to what the United States should do with them. Eventually, the U.S. gave Cuba back but wanted to Annex the Philippines.
When the United States annexed the Philippines, it was seen as having an imperialistic motive. The United States has suddenly become a world powerful and this has made many Americans proud and excited. Others see it as a contradiction to our very own beliefs. An example is seen in The Platform of the American Anti-Imperialist League which states that, “America should not expand through fighting and killing” Document A. They also fear that “The spirit of 1776” which is a patriotic way of thinking and an attitude of self-determination is being violated. The very basis of America was to free itself …show more content…
Teddy Roosevelt and William Mckinley were supporters of the idea that the U.S had no choice but to annex the Philippines. In Albert J. Beveridge, “The March of the Flag” campaign speech comments that if we did not take over the Philippines, Germany, England, and Japan would have consumed them for themselves (paragraph 3). Religious reasons also played a role in validating the annexation. For instance, GOD said so (“manifest destiny”). On the contrary, the Filipinos were already a Christian group of people. Equally important was the rationale of easier trade and business opportunities in Asia because of the annexation. Once again, it is unrighteous to own people in order to do business with them. All in all, the United States as a major power did not have the right to exploit the Philippines through the excuses of Christianity, business opportunities, and protecting takeover by other countries. The United States in fact used it for their own benefit, mostly to increase their naval
When the United States annexed the Philippines, it was seen as having an imperialistic motive. The United States has suddenly become a world powerful and this has made many Americans proud and excited. Others see it as a contradiction to our very own beliefs. An example is seen in The Platform of the American Anti-Imperialist League which states that, “America should not expand through fighting and killing” Document A. They also fear that “The spirit of 1776” which is a patriotic way of thinking and an attitude of self-determination is being violated. The very basis of America was to free itself …show more content…
Teddy Roosevelt and William Mckinley were supporters of the idea that the U.S had no choice but to annex the Philippines. In Albert J. Beveridge, “The March of the Flag” campaign speech comments that if we did not take over the Philippines, Germany, England, and Japan would have consumed them for themselves (paragraph 3). Religious reasons also played a role in validating the annexation. For instance, GOD said so (“manifest destiny”). On the contrary, the Filipinos were already a Christian group of people. Equally important was the rationale of easier trade and business opportunities in Asia because of the annexation. Once again, it is unrighteous to own people in order to do business with them. All in all, the United States as a major power did not have the right to exploit the Philippines through the excuses of Christianity, business opportunities, and protecting takeover by other countries. The United States in fact used it for their own benefit, mostly to increase their naval