Annexation Of The Philippines Essay

912 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay about the history of the Philippines

The United States should not annex the Philippine islands, the Philippines, already a country of their own should not be forced to adapt to American culture and civilization. Prior to the annexation of the Philippines, America had major conflict with Spain in order to free Cuba from their brutal tactics for dominance. Tension continued to rise, until President Mckinley decided to take action and go to war against Spanish forces to enable a more stable government as well as provide protection for the citizens of Cuba. After months of fighting, the Spanish admitted defeat and began discussing peace terms of the Treaty of Paris. In this treaty Cuba was guaranteed independence, also the Spanish were forced to give up Guam and Puerto Rico. They …show more content…

The United States finished fighting for Cuba’s independence from Spain, and then turn and take control over the Philippines attempting to civilize them and force them into a more Americanized lifestyle. America’s rule was worse then Spain's in many aspects. In the short 48 years the U.S. Annex the Philippines over 1.5 million Filipinos died, far less died in the 300 year Spanish rule. Furthermore, the United States tried to justify the annexation because they helped educate them, however if they were able to read the Philippines could accuse America of hypocrisy against our own Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The Constitution stating, "all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights of which . . . they cannot deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.” The Filipinos weren't treated as equals, but rather were governed over, which ultimately deprived the life styles of many. Also, the Filipinos were far from the pursuit of happiness, thousands of natives died trying to win independence, causing resentment and anger, the opposite of life, liberty, and safety. Understandably, the United States, a very successful nation in many ways, thought that their “charity case” to the Philippines was beneficial. Allowing the uncivilized to be part of a powerful, profitable, civilized culture seemed like the proper outreach to a country that had just been ruled over for 300 years. Giving them a functioning government, education system, military presence, the United States truly felt like they helped. However, the Filipinos felt dictated over and did not agree to the lifestyle that the Americans

Show More
Related

  • DBQ 4

    551 Words  | 2 Pages

    Economic self-interest was more effective in driving American foreign policy because the U.S wanted to protect their property. As described in War and other Essays The U.S needed to choose not to be rulers and to let Filipinos and Spanish Americans live their own lives without ...

    Read More

  • US Isolationism During 1919-1941

    1240 Words  | 3 Pages

    Further more, Interventionism was continued where it was most convenient; in regard to colonial interests, trade opportunities, ensuring peace overseas and the repayment of foreign debt. Although President Harding claimed ‘we see no part in directing the destinies of the world', it seems that a foreign policy of interventionism was needed in directing the destiny of the United States that was a different matter. Colonial interests were claimed in Alaska, the Philipines, Central America and Hawaii. In 1921 it signed the Four Power Treaty with Britain, France and Japan and then the Nine Power Treaty agreeing to respect China's independence but allowing them equal trading rights and so the ability to abuse China's economy.

    Read More

  • Should the United States Have Annexed the Phillipines

    577 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first reason the United States should have annexed the Philippines is because it is our duty to as a country to spread the values of democracy overseas. For example, as stated here in Albert J. Beveridge’s campaign speech he says, “ Do we owe no duty to the world?… it is ours to save for liberty and civilization (Doc B).” He is saying that it is our duty as a sovereign nation to help an uncivilized nation modernize, industrialize, . another example, is from William Mcki...

    Read More

  • Comparison: William Jennings Bryan &Theodore Roosevelt

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1900, delivering a speech in Indiana, Bryan defended his approval of the Treaty of Paris, which had annexed the Philippines (as well as Guam and Puerto Rico) from Spanish rule; stating that he “thought it safer to trust the American people to give independence to the Filipinos than to trust the accomplishment of that purpose to diplomacy with an unfriendly nation.” (Bryan, “Imperialism”) Essentially, his view was that the Ph...

    Read More

  • Annexation Of The Phillippines

    484 Words  | 1 Pages

    In my opinion The United States ordeal with Annexing the Philippines and the idea that we had of going into war with them was great mistake and should have been avoided. The Filipinos and Americans were deadlocked in war with each other. This all became a controversy with the two nations in 1898 when the Treaty of Paris between Spain and the United Stated ceded all seven thousand islands of the Philippine archipelago to the United States, for just a mere twenty-million dollars. Congress had approved the treaty with Spain, by February of 1899. Mckinley was on the verge of calling for the annexation of the Philippines which brought on a bloody two year struggle. In my opinion the United States was the cause of all of this because of three different reasons, for one our government would not...

    Read More

  • American Foreign Policy Dbq

    941 Words  | 2 Pages

    The idea of spheres of influence, which was an agreement of nations to respect a neighboring nation’s culture, accompanied by an Open Door Trade policy, which allowed all nations to participate in international transactions, became a prominent factor of foreign relations with the Asian continent. As stated by President Theodore Roosevelt in his annual message to Congress on December 6, 1904, “We would interfere with them only in the last resort… their iability or unwillingness to do justice at home and abroad had violated ... rights...” (Document E). However, it would be appropriate to say that the United States became power hungry and chose to gain authority and/or mass amounts of influence over other, smaller, rising nations. Examples of this can be found within the Foraker Act of 1900, which restrained the Puerto Rican government and limited rights of the citizens within Puerto Rico, the Treaty of Paris of 1898, which ended the spanish-American War and granted the United States over former Spanish islands, and the Portsmouth Conference of 1905, which the United States made itself the mediator of power and land concluding the Russo-Japanese War, which was spurred over land disputes. The statement “...only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion”, by President Woodrow Wilson to Congress on April 2, 1917,

    Read More

  • Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt

    829 Words  | 2 Pages

    After the assassination of President McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt inherited a growing empire when he took office in 1901. The U.S. had annexed Hawaii in 1898 and Spanish-American War granted the U.S. control of the Philippines. It also led the U.S. to establish a protectorate over Cuba and grant territorial status for Puerto Rico. By taking on the Philippine Islands as an American colony after the Spanish-American War he had ended the U.S.'s isolation from international politics. Theodore Roosevelt believed that nations should pursue a strenuous life and do their part to maintain peace and order. It was also a belief that civilized nations had the duty of modernizing the barbarous ones. He also pushed for a bigger army and navy and by the end of his presidency he had built the U.S. Navy into a major force at sea.

    Read More

  • test I

    1446 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... Americans built roads, schools, bridges, and sewers. Filipino self- rule had gradually increased and finally declared their independence on July 4, 1946. However, compared to Cuba and Puerto Rico, American rule has a lesser impact on the Philippine economy. The United States invaded Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines not to gain wealth, but for the purpose of getting trades.

    Read More

  • The Effect of American Colonialism on Puerto Rico's Identity

    2686 Words  | 6 Pages

    While Puerto Rico was being held under the care of the department of War, the political leaders in the United States capital pondered how to legislate the policies of the new possessions. The Treaty of Paris that was drafted as a means to end the Spanish American War had declared the new possessions, (The Philippines, Hawaii and Puerto Rico among others) colonies of the United States of America. Decisions made by the U.S. regarding one of these countries would evidently influence the policies towards the other. Although they were acquired during the same period of time, the legislation would vary accordin...

    Read More

  • Spanish American War: Summary Of The Spanish American War

    589 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout history, the United States of America has always been faced with making vital decisions to benefit as well as protect the country. Whether it was the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor or the stock market crash of 1929, America has constantly been encountered with tough difficulties and political leaders had to step up and generate a constructive resolution for America. In 1898, America was at a crossroad and was faced with a decision whether or not to enduringly annex territories as far away as the Philippines. At this point in time, the United States should grant the Philippines independence and gait away from the dangers of imperialism as well as becoming an empire because it will decrease racism between Americans and Filipinos and it will help America stay true to its moral values.

    Read More

  • Racism In The 1900's

    809 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1897, Theodore Roosevelt and President McKinley discussed taking over the Pacific colony in the event of a war with Spain. When Congress declared war on Spain 5,000 American troops were sent to the Philippines. After the War, McKinley refused to sign the armistice unless Spain gave the United States all of the Pacific islands. Once Spain agreed, he drew up plans for colonial administration. He pleaded to educate the Filipinos and convert them to Christianity. At first, the Filipinos welcomed the American troops but eventually turned on their former alliance and attacked their base. American soldiers described them as gugus and repeatedly insulted and physically abused them. They beat civilians, raped the women and tortured them. They treated them so poorly because they were a group of darker skin than

    Read More

  • American Imperialism

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...Destiny and extended its international influence 10,000 miles from the Puerto Rico to the Philippines. This aggressive expansion policy with its extensive addition of territory was stimulated by both political and economic interests in these foreign islands. The United States could definitively be defined as an empire as it coerced people to live under American government as it sought to extradite wealth from these island nations that became territories and protectorates by military and political force. American Imperialism would continue into the presidency of Woodrow Wilson who was initially an anti-imperialist in rhetoric but invaded more countries than any other president. The prevalence of American Imperialism from 1890-1913 saw the United States expand its borders as well as political, economic, and military influence in international affairs across the globe.

    Read More

  • The Spanish American War

    1204 Words  | 3 Pages

    Following all of this, leaders of both Spain and the United States gathered and agreed to sign a peace treaty while in Paris on December 10, 1898. This agreement recognized the independence of Cuba, surrendered Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S. and allowed the victor to purchase the Philippines Islands from Spain for $20 million. This war resulted in the United States losing 3000 lives and costing them about $250 million. 2,700 of those lives were lost due to infectious diseases.

    Read More

  • Essay About Philippine American War

    435 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Philippine War of 1899, was opposed by many Americans and was fought for three years, resulting in tons of deaths and U.S taking over Philippine Island. As an annexation of Philippine was important for U.S economy, I believe that there were other ways to take over the Philippine Island rather than a War.

    Read More

  • Philippine War

    579 Words  | 2 Pages

    There were several policies in place at the time, some which were put into place before the war, some during the war, and some after. The ratification of the annexation process was long and difficult. There were debates as to how to treat the Filipino people. One suggestion was to treat the Filipinos as dependents, and not citizens, like the Native Americans came to be treated. Many of the imperialists believed that the Filipinos were savages and harsh policies would give America control. The anti-imperialists were not exactly sure whether to treat them as peers or to set them free. I would treat them as equals, as normal people, as they are like everyone else. At the time they might not have been as technologically advanced as we were, and their government may have seemed primitive to ours. I think we should have worked with them to help create a government, rather than occupy and just take over.

    Read More

More about Annexation Of The Philippines Essay

Open Document