American held the perception that the Filipinos were “ignorant savages” who would not have been able to establish a rule of law even if granted independence. Aguinaldo acknowledges that the Filipinos were deemed to be savages due to their nomadic way of life as well as the latter allegiance to their chiefs. Under this disguise, the US foreign policy was meant to help liberate the Philippines from Spain’s authority and held in bringing concepts such as democracy, Christianity, and economic development. By opting to remain …show more content…
His predecessors such Taft, Theodore Roosevelt had strongly advocated for expansion of the countries influence throughout the world. Though acknowledging that the US was politically enlightened, Wilson argued that each country had a right to self determination. Wilson observed that the US had a duty to protect democracy and the will of people in the countries of the world other than spread it (Wallenfeldt 35). For example, in line with his ant-imperialist stand, Wilson persuaded congress in repealing the 1912 Panama Canal Act that exempted the US ships from paying the tool