Following the 8 month American-Spanish war, the United States gained territories such as Guam and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean, as well as the Philippines off the southeastern coast of Asia. Following this brief war, there will be debate on how the Philippines should be divided and who should lead the nation. Emiliano Aguinaldo, the rebel leader of the Filipino people, attempted to lead a revolt against the Americans who had declared that they would rule the island, but miserably failed. With the success overseas, many people questioned the reasoning for fully annexing the Philippines. Anti-imperialists argued annexation went against traditional American values and that the sheer violence committed by the Americans was unnecessary. Pro imperialists
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The U.S. spent 100s of years spreading the idea of self-government, however in the late 19th century, they were attempting to take over a nation without consent. It was argued that annexing the Philippines would waste everything the Americans had fought for; bringing freedom and democracy to the entire world. The Anti Imperialist League Platform (the main organization that made efforts to prevent annexation of the Philippines), quoted Abraham Lincoln, “no man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent” (Anti Imperialist League Platform). This can be compared to the colonists during the 1700’s who were trying to free themselves from British control. Anti-imperialists labeled how they were the people trying to gain independence from a foreign nation that tried to rule from across an entire ocean. They said, to put the powerful minority above the weak majority with no consent is the antonym for democracy. The anti-imperialists also pointed out that if the Philippines were to come under the control of the Americans. They would bring back a problem that has been fought for hundreds of years. …show more content…
“Shall we turn these people back to the reeking hands which have taken them”(Beveridge). He and pro imperialists tried to show the Filipinos that the Americans annexing the Philippines was much better than the alternative of the countries in Europe. Trying to tell the anti-imperialists that no matter how bad the Americans are to the Filipinos, they are the best option compared to the savages that run around the world. Ultimately, the annexation of the Philippines was seen as the right thing to do for American and Filipino lives by the pro-imperialists.. In conclusion, anti-imperialists utilized the argument that annexation went against traditional American values and was violent. Pro-imperialists used the argument that imperialism would greatly improve Filipino lives and that the Americans would be the best occupant for the Philippines. These factors, along with many others, decided the opinions of Americans in the early 1900s, as well as the opinions of Americans and historians today. No matter what side it takes, America continues to expand into a great world power through
The U.S. spent 100s of years spreading the idea of self-government, however in the late 19th century, they were attempting to take over a nation without consent. It was argued that annexing the Philippines would waste everything the Americans had fought for; bringing freedom and democracy to the entire world. The Anti Imperialist League Platform (the main organization that made efforts to prevent annexation of the Philippines), quoted Abraham Lincoln, “no man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent” (Anti Imperialist League Platform). This can be compared to the colonists during the 1700’s who were trying to free themselves from British control. Anti-imperialists labeled how they were the people trying to gain independence from a foreign nation that tried to rule from across an entire ocean. They said, to put the powerful minority above the weak majority with no consent is the antonym for democracy. The anti-imperialists also pointed out that if the Philippines were to come under the control of the Americans. They would bring back a problem that has been fought for hundreds of years. …show more content…
“Shall we turn these people back to the reeking hands which have taken them”(Beveridge). He and pro imperialists tried to show the Filipinos that the Americans annexing the Philippines was much better than the alternative of the countries in Europe. Trying to tell the anti-imperialists that no matter how bad the Americans are to the Filipinos, they are the best option compared to the savages that run around the world. Ultimately, the annexation of the Philippines was seen as the right thing to do for American and Filipino lives by the pro-imperialists.. In conclusion, anti-imperialists utilized the argument that annexation went against traditional American values and was violent. Pro-imperialists used the argument that imperialism would greatly improve Filipino lives and that the Americans would be the best occupant for the Philippines. These factors, along with many others, decided the opinions of Americans in the early 1900s, as well as the opinions of Americans and historians today. No matter what side it takes, America continues to expand into a great world power through